Outdoor recreation planning and management considering FROS and carrying capacities: a case study of forest wetland in Yeongam-gum, South Korea

Abstract

Since demand for outdoor recreation in forests has been increasing, a structural planning framework for sustainable use while minimizing ecosystem degradation is needed. Utilizing the recreational opportunity spectrum (ROS) and carrying capacities (CC) have been long-standing tools in management outdoor recreation and tourism. Therefore, this study proposes using FROS (forest recreation outdoor system), LAC (limits of acceptable change), and CC for outdoor recreation in forest wetland in Youngam-gum, South Korea. An analysis of the spatial characteristics of the site—geological features, elevation, slope, viewshed, water system, forest age class, etc.—was carried out. Based on this analysis, an outdoor recreation planning and management framework was developed, including expert elicitation and a field survey of the site. This study found that (1) FROS classified the site as “rural developed” (zone 1), “rural natural” (zone 2), and “semi-primitive” (zone 3); (2) LAC considered spatial characteristics and tourism attractions network around the site by each zone; (3) and ecological CC (104.1–485.5 people per day), physical CC (130.9–445.1 people per day), and social CC (25 people for “PAOT,” or “persons at one time”) were proposed for sustainable management of the site. Compared to previous studies, this study has the novelty of suggesting an integrated outdoor recreation model for sustainable planning and management by introducing systematic zoning and coping with the changing environment. This result can be useful for policy-makers who are concerned with the outdoor recreation of forest wetland to conserve and utilize the site and to prioritize suitable sites depending on the determining variables used in this study.