We have recently released a report on the environmental impacts of tourism within the Bükk National Park Directorate (BNPD) as part of the HUMANITA project.
From the limestone caves at Forrás Valley to the spectacular views at Tar-kő Peak, there is plenty on offer for tourists at BNPD. However, we must understand how tourist activities affect the landscape, wildlife, and nearby local communities.
The report outlines the key challenges associated with tourism, such as illegal quad-bike usage, littering, and foraging. When the number of visitors and their activities are not carefully managed, issues arise, such as trail erosion and disturbance of threatened wildlife populations. Visitor counters, ticket sales, hotel data, and visitor satisfaction surveys allow us to keep track of the number of visitors at BNPD, whilst extensive wildlife surveys help us to monitor the ecological status of important habitats.
The report also provides a comprehensive description of each of the pilot sites within BNPD, including their biotic and abiotic characteristics, the specific pressures faced at each site, and how these will be assessed and mitigated.
For example, in the Mátra Mountains pilot site, tourism might spread invasive diseases to vulnerable yellow-bellied toad populations. To assess this, we will compare the prevalence of disease at tourist hotspots to less visited sites.
Check out the full report here to learn more about the challenges and management techniques used at each pilot site: https://www.ceeweb.org/publication.php?id=851