Managing flow of visitors
Two car counters and approximately ten SLAB counters were installed at strategic points (parking lots, dams, lakes and other points of interest) on Mount Saint-Victoire in southern France in 2002.
The quantitative data logged at these points was combined with a large-scale qualitative study in 2009. The study revealed, among other things, that the flows of visitors had shifted and that areas that initially had not often been frequented by visitors had a much higher chance of being accessed.
Measures were quickly taken to protect these areas from damage caused by the rising number of visitors. Signs and trail markers were also added to direct visitors along the right paths.
Count data can also be used to:
- Adapt on-site attendancy to minimise impact on reproduction and nesting periods
- Determine the impact of visitors on the flora and fauna.
- Identify the load capacity of soil and anticipate erosion rates.
