• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.266-274
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze the number of visitors to the top of Seoseokdae in Mudeungsan National Park, in which visitors are concentrated, and their visiting patterns, thereby suggesting measures to manage the visitors. The number of annual visitors and the numbers of regional and seasonal visitors to Mudeungsan National Park, which affect the concentration of visits to Seoseokdae were analyzed using the data produced by an automatic digitizing device. A field study was conducted to examine the number of seasonal and periodic visitors to Seoseokdae and their visiting patterns. In 2015, the number of visitors was 2,563,651 and 83.9% of the visitors visited via the Jeungsimsa and Wonhyosa area that is near Gwangju City. This area is close to the Seoseokdae area and it is easy to hike between the areas. Therefore, there was an influx of most visitors to Seoseokdae into the Jeungsimsa and Wonhyosa area. In terms of seasonal visitors, the largest number of visitors came in the fall, followed by the summer, spring, and winter in order. However, the seasonal differences were not notable. There was no statistically significant correlation between the number of visitors and meteorological factors. This result may have been because Gwangju citizens frequently visit Mudeungsan regardless of period and weather. Visitors can get to Seoseokdae via the trails into Wonhyosa and Jangbuljae. A slightly larger number of visitors used the trail into Jangbuljae in the fall and winter, whereas a larger number of visitors used the trail into Wonhyosa in the summer. In general, there is a large influx of visitors into Jangbuljae, a strategic visiting point. However, a slightly larger number of visitors may have chosen the trail into Wonhyosa in the summer because they could hike under the shade of trees. In the summer, visitors stayed in Seoseokdae for a short time with a low level of crowdedness. On the other hand, in the fall and winter, visitors stayed in the area longer because they had lunch and rested. During the time, the number of momentary maximum visitors peaked, causing extreme crowdedness. Therefore, some visitors showed the visiting pattern of entering the grassland outside the designate zone. Because this behavior can damage the grassland on the top of Seoseokdae, which can lead to soil erosion, intensive visitor management may be necessary.