The response to increasing numbers of visitors to Catalonia’s protected natural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review from publications in digital media
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Abstract
The article analyzes how managers of Catalonia’s protected natural areas responded to extraordinary increases in the numbers of visitors during the post-lockdown stage and easing of restrictions implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by the digital media. A systematic review of 105 news published between May and December 2020 was conducted. The results suggest that actions have been mainly focused on responding to the immediacy of the situation were implemented; these involved short-term solutions linked to the management of carrying capacity and entry to natural protected areas. Actions taken related to information and environmental education were delayed, and actions for managing visitors flows within natural protected areas were scarcely reported by the media. Our study is a first step for the identification and characterization of the strategies implemented by the entities managing protected natural areas and their ability to address the avalanche of visitors. Additionally, it reduces the existing research gap in studies of the impact of COVID-19 on the management of protected natural areas.
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