Pilot use of counter for monitoring of visitors in Mengusovská Dolina valley

Abstract

Svajda J.: Pilot use of counter for monitoring of visitors in Mengusovska dolina valley. Ekologia (Bratislava), Vol. 28, No. 4, p. 438–448, 2009. The area of the Tatranský narodný park (Tatra National Park) lacks for continual yearlong monitoring system of visit rate, which would provide basic information about visit rate of the most loaded areas of the national park. The aim of the paper is to bring greater range of data and show possible forms of application and implications for management of visitors in Mengusovska dolina valley. We have selected direct method for monitoring the number of visitors. The counting mechanism with pyroelectric detector the Eco Twin registered in the period from May 31, 2008 to November 20, 2008 exact numbers of tourists who entered the sector of the red tourist path no. 0933 which leads from the cross-road by Žabi potok creek to Rysy Mt. During the total monitored period, the system registered 96.366 traverses. Based on measurement we discovered average daily visit rate and total visit rate of the path during particular days; visit rate dynamics during particular days and hours in period from June to October; respecting with seasonal closing; comparing current visit rate with specified carrying capacity of the path and impact of weather on the number of visitors. For the next period, we propose other research methods for the area (complement and installation of other counters, installation of other equipment (video camera), realization of a questionnaire). Extension of research in this area is urgent because the amount and dynamics of visit rate has apparently changed during the recent years in the Tatry Mts. This might have an impact on the environment of the national park and biosphere reserve. Therefore the management will have to conform to the visit rate.