Description of the contract
Wales Activity Mapping (WAM) is a study into the type, amount and distribution of activities carried out on the South West Wales coastline which includes information on relevant infrastructure and management issues.
With activity tourism currently growing it is crucial that we begin to take a proactive approach in managing recreation to ensure the long-term sustainability of the tourism and recreation industry. The initial study was conducted in 2008 and the data and the web based GIS system will be updated through this project. For more information about WAM go to http://www.walesactivitymapping.org.uk/
As a part of this update consideration of carrying capacity related to recreational disturbance to designated sites will be given while developing and testing a protocol to expand to other MPA’s in Wales.
The research to be commissioned should create/test a method of assessing recreational impacts on designated sites producing 3 case studies.(sites to be confirmed by WAM steering group) Results to show data spatially, leading to improved evidence-based decision making by key stakeholders.
Research should show:
• Likely overlap between recreational activity and feature of designated site– map of low, medium, high per disturbance type
• Evidence of impact / confidence of data
• Sensitivity of features to pressure of recreational activity with map of disturbance type; plus any cumulative and in combination effects of different activities.
• Likelihood of observable / measurable effect on feature
• Likelihood of significant impact on conservation objectives while considering the NRW Indicative Feature Condition assessment reports.
The research method should include the ability to combine all disturbances to provide a spatial view of an overall impact of recreational activities to the designated site.
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