Recreation Resource Impacts of Pantai Kerachut Trail in Penang National Park

Abstract

Recreation resources often referred to as the combination of natural resources essential to carry on a variety of recreational activities for humankind. Being one of the most-visited destinations among visitors who are seeking outdoor experience, Penang National Park (PNP) faces a substantial impact on its recreation resources. Among the common issue arises are the impacts on the quality of the routing system, particularly on sites like Pantai Kerachut Trail. The impacts cause undesirable change and degrade the components of recreation resources such as soil, vegetation, wildlife and water resources of the natural area. This issue threatens its integrity to maintain the benefits of recreation function and raises conflict between the visitors and the management of this area to reach its sustainability. Thus, an assessment has been conducted to evaluate the current status of recreation resource impacts in Pantai Kerachut Trail. A total of 75 sampling points were collected along Pantai Kerachut Trail. The methods of Rapid Survey Technique, Census Sampling Technique, and Cross-sectional measurement were used to determine the major factors influencing the impact. This investigation also identifies the relationship between impact and inventory parameters caused by recreational activities on the trail. Findings reveal that the current status of soil (soil erosion and soil drainage); and vegetation (root exposure, loss of vegetation, decrease in the percentage of canopy cover and vegetation density) along Pantai Kerachut Trail are at the moderate level of impact. Meanwhile, water and wildlife are confirmed at a minimal level of impact. The outcomes as such could be advantageous for the management to ensure the sustainability of the trail system in accommodating visitation while enhancing protection towards recreation resources along Pantai Kerachut Trail.