Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mansoureh Momeni Sadr ¹
• Zahra Ghelichipour ²
• Hadi Soltanifard ³
• Hadi Karachi ²

¹ MSc in Environmental Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.

² Assistant Professor in Environmental Science Department, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

³ Assistant Professor in Environmental Science Department, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.

Abstract

This research aims to assess social carrying capacity in Chitgar Lake and determine factors affecting it. For this purpose, two methods of survey and visual research have been used. 385 visitors answered the first stage questionnaire. The data from this questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics. In the visual research method, using 150 visitors’ responses, the social norm curve was drawn for two activities of walking along the lake and watching its scenery. The findings indicate that the number of visitors in the environment, the type of their activity, the distance reduction with other visitors, the number of exposures and access to facilities affect visitors’ perception of crowding. Based on the social norm curve, the presence of more than 26 people when walking and more than 25 visitors when watching the scenery are in the unacceptable range. The optimal number of visitors when walking is 9 and for watching the lake view is 10-8 people.

Keywords

• Social Carrying Capacity
• Crowding Perception
• Social Norm Curve
• Acceptable Number of Visitors