Social Carrying Capacity Challenges in Parks, Forests, and Protected Areas An Examination of Transatlantic Methodologies and Practices

Visitor-induced impacts and resource degradation are common concerns for park and protected areas resource managers worldwide. Managing such issues requires information about general visitation, social impacts, and social carrying capacities. This article uses three case studies from Austria, Germany, and the United States to illustrate social carrying capacity methods and variables. The areas investigated are the heavily used Danube Floodplains National Park in Austria (n = 373), the Harz National Park in Germany (mainly qualitative studies), and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in the United States (n = 337). Differences and commonalities between these studies were found. The European approach relies heavily upon visitor monitoring, although the notion of crowding is often neglected. This cross-cultural study develops recommendations for potential visitor use and impact monitoring programs in protected areas with a specific focus on social carrying capacity indicators, and addresses policy issues regarding protected area management.