Limits of acceptable changes (LAC) as a method for sustainable nature tourism in Sipoonkorpi National Park

The number of visits in Sipoonkorpi National park have risen a lot during the last years. The Covid epidemia brought a significant rise during the years 2000 and 2021. From 2019 to 2020 the number of visits increased by 85 %. According to observations in the field and results from the visitor survey this had impacts on the social sustainability, for instance increased littering and disturbance from other visitors.

A method for monitoring the sustainability of recreation and nature tourism was needed to proactively respond to the impact of increasing visitor numbers. The aim was to ensure the preservation of unique natural and cultural values. The process had to help to draw attention to development trends that were threatening the area, and to find ways of stopping that development. The method had to be easy to implement and to be replicable.

Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) planning process provides a way of monitoring changes in an area. It helps to determine appropriate actions in order to manage changes. LAC is useful approach to sustainability of recreation because it draws attention to human-induced changes.
Limits are set by managerial decisions. Choosing the limits during the planning process helps to draw attention to threatening trends and how to stop them. LAC is way of putting sustainability into practice.

The LAC method was modified to be adapted to Finnish circumstances. The most reliable indicators and the effective actions were considered by a group of management specialists.

1. The indicators were chosen
2. Current values were determined
3. The limits of the acceptable change were decided. The variability of the value and when management actions are needed was identified.
4. Condition of trails near stream banks was improved and information boards and fencing added.

None.

The situation has improved concerning the erosion on the streambank. The monitoring of bird species hasn’t yet been caried out systematically as often as planned. If degradation of the most valuable natural areas or disturbance of sensitive habitats continues despite the preventive actions, the next time the management and use plan is renewed, consideration should be given to establishing restricted areas and possibly closing old paths.

Choosing suitable indicators was challenging. A good indicator is objective, clearly measurable, reliable, repeatable, sensitive to sustainability related changes and cost-effective.

The idicators chosen were:

• Ecological:
  • Changes in the vegetation on streambanks where erosion is a big threat.
  • Population of eagle owl and horned grebe that are sensible to human disturbance.
• Social:
  • Number of annual visits
  • Visitor experience with regards to the disturbance caused by other visitors.

Monitoring is crucial. Changes happen slowly and are not always visible to eye.
Ecological indicators are more difficult to find than social indicators.

The LAC method helps managers to systematically set standards of acceptable changes and appropriate resources and social conditions in a National Park. Furthermore, it encourages managers to set appropriate management strategies for maintaining and achieving these conditions.