THE ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL CARRYING CAPACITY FOR NATURE TRAILS IN KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/jem.2023.12Keywords:
physical carrying capacity, real physical carrying capacity, nature trailsAbstract
This study aims to evaluate the physical carrying capacity of eight nature trails in Khao Yai National Park. Physical carrying capacity or the maximum number of visitors that each nature trail can accommodate per day was calculated in terms of people per day. The study found that the Khlong Kaew waterfall nature trail has the highest physical carrying capacity, supporting up to 840 people per day, while the Khrok E Dok waterfall nature trail has the lowest physical carrying capacity, accommodating only 45 people per day. The combined physical carrying capacity of all 8 nature trails is 1,845 people per day. Subsequently, the real physical carrying capacity of the nature trails was evaluated by considering three correction factors: rainfall, wildlife, and access, which can act as limiting multipliers. As a result, the maximum number of visitors decreased for all trails. The overall real physical carrying capacity of all 8 nature trails combined was found to be 1,296 people per day. The study’s findings are crucial information for Khao Yai National Park officials to use in determining the maximum number of tourists each natural trail can accommodate. This approach is aimed at preventing and mitigating the recreation impacts and ensuring that tourists have a high-quality recreational experiences.
References
Chongwilaikasem, K. (2023). Khao Yai National Park Development Model Eco-Tourism Management[in Thai]. SSRU Journal of Public Administration, 6(2), 388-403.
Cole, D. N. & McCool, S. F. (1997). Limits of Acceptable Change and Natural Resources Planning: When is LAC Useful, When is it Not?. Retrieve June 10, 2023, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238770727_Limits_of_Acceptable_Change_and_Natural_Resources_Planning_When_is_LAC_Useful_When_is_it_Not.
Emphadhu, D. (2019). Unit 5 Resource Management for Tourism in Forest Area [in Thai]. In Resource Management for Forestry and Environment Subject. School of Agriculture and Cooperative. Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University Publishing Company Limited, Nonthaburi.
Emphadhu, D., Pongsakornrungsilp, P. & Arunpraparat, W. (2019). Determination of tourism carrying capacity of enhancing tourism destinations management standard at Mu Koh Lanta, Krabi Province [in Thai]. Final report, National Research Council of Thailand, Thailand Science Research and Innovation.
Emphadhu, D., Tantasirin, C. & Ratchano, R. (2008). Monitoring of Recreation Carrying Capacity in National Parks. National Park Manual no.10 [in Thai]. Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Bangkok.
Hector C. L. (1996). Tourism, ecotourism, and protected areas. IUCN Publications Service Unit.
Gland, Switzerland.
Klabsuk, R. & Kwawjumpa, N. (2022). Determination of Recreation Carrying Capacity and Visitor Management at Dong Phrayayen-Khao Yai World Heritage Site final report [in Thai]. Final report, Department of Conservation, Kasetsart University, Bangkok.
Manning, R. (2001). Visitor experience and resource protection: A framework for managing the carrying capacity of national parks. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 19(1), 93-108.
National Park Office. (2023). The statistic of visitor in National Park Year 2022. Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok. Retrieve October 30, 2023, from https://catalog.dnp.go.th/dataset/stat-tourism.
Premsmith, S. & Dankittikul, C. (2022). The Assessment of Satisfaction with the Use of Tourist Service Areas and Nature Trails: A Case Study of Khao Yai National Park [in Thai]. Buil Environment Inquiry Journal (BEI), 21(2), 91-108.
Queiroz, R. E., Ventura, M. A., Guerreiro, J. A. & Cunha, R. T. da. (2014). Carrying Capacity of hiking trail in Natura 2000 sites: a case study from North Atlantic Island (Azores, Portugal). Journal of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, 14(2), 233-242.
Salemi, M., Jozi, S. A., Malmasi, S. & Rezaian, S. (2019). A New Model of Ecological Carrying Capacity for Developing Ecotourism in the Protected Area of the North Karkhen, Iran. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, 47(11), 1937-1947.
Stankey, G. H., Cole, D. N., Lucas, R. C., Peterson, M. E., & Frisell, S. S. (1985). The Limits of Accepatble Change (LAC) System for Wilderness Planning. Retrieve May 5, 2023, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247924474_The_Limits_of_Acceptable_Change_LAC_System_for_Wilderness_Planning.
Suksusiang, S., Pongpattananurak, N. & Foster, P. W. (2012). Potential Assessment of Hiking Trails in National Parks, Chiang Mai Province [ in Thai]. Thai Journal of Forestry, 31(2), 108-118.
Thai Meteorological Department. (2021). Precipitation monthly Report year 2011-2021 [in Thai]. Retrieve January12, 2021, from https://tmd.go.th/service/downloadableDocuments.
Tuntates, U., Kwaipan, W. & Silprasit, K. (2016). Inventory of Tourism Resource to Define Nature Learning Routes on Phu Pha Man National Park, Khonkhen and Loei Province [in Thai]. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 8(16).
Valliere, W. & Manning, R.. (2003). Applying the visitor experience and resource protection (VERP) framework to cultural resources in the national parks. Retrieve June10, 2023, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237221117_Applying_the_visitor_experience_and_resource_protection_VERP_framework_to_cultural_resources_in_the_national_parks.
Wildlife Research Group. (2014). Wild Elephant knowledge and Guiding Handbook [in Thai]. Wildlife conservation office, Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok. Retrieve January12, 2021, from https://www.dnp.go.th/wildlife/technique_document/elephant%20manual/elephant_manual.pdf.
