A mangrove ecotourism model based on physical carrying capacity and ecological resilience (the case of blanakan mangrove ecotourism, Subang, West Java)

Abstract

Increasing tourist arrivals at Blanakan mangrove triggers a threat to environment if the exploitation exceed its carrying capacity. The aims of this study are (1) to identify potential attraction and evaluate biophysical conditions, (2) to understand impact of tourism activities to Blanakan mangrove ecotourism, (3) to calculate the physical carrying capacity and identify the type of ecological resilience, and (4) to develop management model based on physical carrying capacity and ecological resilience. The results showed that Blanakan mangrove ecotourism has mangrove vegetation and crocodiles breeding as attractions. Characteristics of visitors Blanakan dominated by males (63.3%), age group at most 31-40 years (36.7%), educational background senior high school (46.67%), most jobs are private employees (30%), most visitors coming from West Java (60%). The biophysical and chemistry evaluation showed that Blanakan mangrove ecotourism has a capacity to support tourism activities. Biological biodiversity aspects has proven an ability to hold up tourism development. The plankton and makrobenthos diversity index showed that all station were slightly polluted. Effective physical carrying capacity of Blanakan mangrove ecotourism is 825 people per day. Ecological carrying capacity of outing activity is 530 people per ha, boating 106 people per ha and camping 174 people per ha. The water ecosystem resilience of the mangrove ecotourism Blanakan is resilient type which shows that the ecosystem has an ability to recover themselves. This resilient type assure that any disruption upon the ecosystem would automatically recovered if the carrying capacity was not exceedingly utilized. Management model were developed based on four scenarios, they are bussines as usual (BAU), pro environment, pro management, and pro community. Pro environmental scenarios is recommended to be the ideal model management for Blanakan mangrove ecotourism. Pro enviroment scenario showed the ecological sustainability indicators were not exceeded the physical carrying capacity. These scenario has positive impact on the tourism management longer than the other scenarios, the quality of the environment improved, the arising costs of environmental damage could be minimized. The sustainable management strategy of Blanakan mangrove ecotourism were to develop the tourism product and facilities, visitor management, pollution management and increasing assimilation capacity, and community participation.