Impacts of recreation on vegetation and tourist experience in Kilimanjaro national park, Tanzania

The study to assess the effects of recreation on vegetation and tourist experience was conducted in Kilimanjaro National Park. Three trails namely Machame, Mweka and Lemosho were selected for this study based on intensity and type of use. Vegetation survey was undertaken at three altitudinal levels using sample plots arranged along transects based on disturbance levels. In each plot, species richness and diversity, height, cover, and percentage bare ground were assessed. Furthermore, soil compaction was measured using soil pocket penetrometer whereas visitor perceptions and recreational related impacts were studied using structured questionnaires. Study findings revealed that for the highly utilized trails of Machame and Mweka, the disturbed plots had low species richness (4.31 ± 0.204 and 4.46 ±0.183 respectively) than the undisturbed plots (4.41 ±0.186 and 4.65 ±0.172 respectively) while the low utilized intensity trail, Lemosho, had high species richness in the disturbed area (3.94 ± 0.241) than the undisturbed area (3.83 ± 0.132). Vegetation height and cover were lower in the disturbed plots than in undisturbed plot areas (t-test, p < 0.05 and p > 0.05 respectively) while percentage bare ground and soil penetration resistance were significantly higher in the disturbed than in the undisturbed areas (t-test, p < 0.05). The main concerns of the 250 interviewed tourists were trash (garbage), soil erosion, congestion, improper human waste disposal and vegetation damage along tourist trails and campsites in that order. Conclusively, recreational disturbance along the trails of KINAPA has some impacts to the vegetation and soils, and the extent of damage depends on the intensity of use and vegetation type. It is recommended that more intensive tourism management in KINAPA is needed to reduce environmental and social impacts of recreation while improving conditions to meet the required standards for tourist experiences and achieve conservation goals.