Research to Support Carrying Capacity Analysis at Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area

Manning, Robert; Budruk, Megha

This project has three basic components. The first two address the science needed to support application of the VERP framework to Boston Harbor Islands. The research is focused primarily on developing data that will provide an empirical foundation for formulating indicators and standards of quality for both resource and social conditions. Programs of resource and social research were conducted in two phases during the first two years of the project. The research program was designed and conducted within the context of the third component of this project, an interdisciplinary VERP research/resource planning committee. The committee met periodically throughout the duration of the project, and met intensively during the final year of the project to incorporate study findings into a series of indicators and standards of quality that can be used to manage the carrying capacity of Boston Harbor Islands. Study objectives for the social science component of this project were to1) collect baseline data on park use and users and associated impacts, 2) identify potential indicators of quality for the visitor experience, and 3) identify potential standards of quality for selected indicator variables. This report presents study methods and findings from the social science component of the project.