Visitors perception of erosion on the tracks of the Marumbi Peak State Park-PR, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the visitor perception about the track erosion in the Marumbi Peak State Park to serve as assistance for the track management program. The interview was used, with two groups of photographs depicting situations with different degrees of erosion and the safety equipment installed. Visitors indicated visually, which one is the worst and the best situation and more and less secure equipment and why. Expected responses were defined for each situation for later comparison. The multivariate statistic methods: data correlation and correspondence analysis to correlate the responses were used. The Marumbi visitors are predominantly male, young adults between 20 and 30 years old, with high education level and beginning to practice climbing mountain. The visitors perceive the track erosion, but do not know how to define it very well. It was noted that visitor’s responses are based on “possibility to pass without difficulty”. Ladder-chip was indicated as most safe equipment, because the steps are fixed on the rock. The research has generated important information for developing a management program for the tracks.