Ecotourism carrying capacity of the Cotopaxi National Park, Central Ecuador

Abstract

The present research is based on the calculation of the ecotourism carrying capacity of the trails and tourist sites of the Cotopaxi National Park (PNC), according to an established methodology, for which a variety of thematic maps were considered. These were used to calculate the real carrying capacity, which together with the management capacity of the park, its effective carrying capacity was calculated. The limiting magnitudes of the correction factors were obtained through in situ measurements, using the "Total Station M3" topographic equipment, which determined the lengths of the trails with corresponding problems, in addition to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The results obtained from the Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC) of the main trails of the PNC, reflect that the trails Limpiopungo lagoon and Parking lot –José Rivas shelter, with CCE values of 1086 people/day and 635 people/day respectively, are only exceeded during Ecuadorian national holidays.