Determination of Carrying Capacity Estimates of

Ecotourism Attractions in the Quezon Protected

Landscape, the Philippines.

A Critic Paper

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Subject
Environmental Science (MSTE 111)
(TTH 4:00 – 4:30)

Denn Lloyd J. Fernandez

March 28, 2023

Introduction:
 The determination of carrying capacity estimates of ecotourism
attractions is a critical issue in many countries, including the
Philippines. The Quezon Protected Landscape, located in the northern
part of the province of Quezon, is home to several ecotourism attractions
that have been attracting a large number of visitors in recent years. The
study "Determination of Carrying Capacity Estimates of Ecotourism
Attractions in the Quezon Protected Landscape, the Philippines" by
Eduarte and colleagues aimed to estimate the carrying capacity of three
ecotourism attractions in the area. This paper provides a critique of the
study, including its strengths and weaknesses.

Ecotourism has become an increasingly popular type of tourism in

recent years, especially in developing countries with rich natural
resources. The Quezon Protected Landscape in the Philippines is one
such area that has attracted significant attention as an ecotourism
destination. As the number of tourists visiting the area increases, there
is a need to determine the carrying capacity of the ecotourism attractions
in the Quezon Protected Landscape to ensure their sustainability.

Summary:

The study aimed to determine the carrying capacity estimates of

three ecotourism attractions in the Quezon Protected Landscape: The
Malabayabas Forest, Pinagbanderahan Peak, and Pinagbanderahan
Trail. The estimate of the maximum number of visitors that each
attraction can handle without causing environmental degradation or
compromising the quality of the visitor experience. The study found that
the carrying capacity of the three attractions was lower than the actual
number of visitors they receive, indicating the need for management
interventions to ensure their sustainability.
 The maximum number of visitors each destination can
accommodate without negatively affecting the environment or the
standard of the visitor experience was estimated by the study using a
combination of techniques, including field surveys, interviews, and
observations. The study discovered that the attractions' carrying capacity
was less than the actual number of tourists that visited them, pointing to
the necessity for management measures to maintain their sustainability.
Littering, vandalism, and poor waste management are just a few of the
problems the study found contributing to the decline of the attractions.
The installation of tourist education programs, upgrading garbage
disposal systems, and setting visitor-carrying capacity restrictions were
among the management solutions suggested by the study.

Critique:

The study has several strengths, including its use of a combination

of methods to estimate carrying capacity, its focus on ecotourism
attractions in a protected area, and its practical recommendations for
management interventions. However, the study also has several
limitations that limit its generalizability and applicability. Firstly, the
study only focused on three ecotourism attractions, which may not be
representative of the entire Quezon Protected Landscape. Therefore, the
carrying capacity estimates provided in the study may not be applicable
to other attractions in the area.

Additionally, the carrying capacity fluctuations that may occur

based on the season, hour of the day, and weather conditions were not
taken into account in the study. As a result, under various
circumstances, the carrying capacity estimations presented in the study
might not be reliable. The study also didn't offer a thorough examination
of the social and economic effects of ecotourism on the host communities
and tourists. The potential adverse effects of ecotourism on the local
culture and way of life were not taken into account in the study because
it only looked at the environmental aspects.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the study "Determination of Carrying Capacity

Estimates of Ecotourism Attractions in the Quezon Protected Landscape,
the Philippines" provides valuable insights into the carrying capacity of
ecotourism attractions in the Quezon Protected Landscape. However, the
study has several limitations that limit its generalizability and
applicability. Future studies should therefore take into account a more
thorough examination of the social, economic, and environmental effects
of ecotourism on nearby people and tourists. Future research should
also take into account the regional and temporal changes in carrying
capacity as well as the creation of sustainable tourist management plans
that address the more significant social and economic problems related
to ecotourism, including the need to consider a more comprehensive
analysis of the potential differences in carrying capacity estimates
between the high and low tourist seasons.

Citations:

Eduarte, G. T., Andrada, R. T., Galang, M. A., Malabrigo Jr., P. L.,

Tiburan Jr., C. L., & Dida, J. J. (2020). Determination of Carrying
Capacity Estimates of Ecotourism Attractions in the Quezon Protected
Landscape, the Philippines. Applied Ecology and Environmental Researc