The level of use that a resource, site or facility can support before suffering significant deterioration.

Three types of carrying capacity.
• Physical capacity - the maximum number of people able to use a resource at any one time. For example a theatre has a certain number of seats. (NB throughput capacity).
• Ecological capacity - the threshold of people using a site beyond which damage to the environment will occur. For example eroded footpaths.
• Perceptual capacity - the level of usage at which point the enjoyment of the leisure experience is diminished for the consumer or host community. For example the number of people on a beach that is “too crowded”.
• Progressively difficult to measure.
• Carrying capacity can vary due to opinion, management techniques or the nature/fragility of a resource.

Explain why the physical, ecological & perceptual carrying capacities will vary for Westminster Abbey, Wembley stadium, the summit of Snowdon & Dove Cottage (Wordsworth’s home).