ABSTRACT
This chapter examines two specific frameworks-the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) and Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) planning systems. It reviews their application, focusing particularly on their use overseas. The chapter updates the breadth and nature of experience that has been gained in these applications, especially with regard to their use in other countries. It also identifies some persistent problems in the application of the two systems. The focus of a particular application of the ROS could embrace the entire continuum (from the wilderness to a city park) or only a portion thereof. A determination of the appropriate scope of coverage is influenced by such things as an organization’s policies, responsibilities, and the nature of resources they administer. In summary, the physical output of a ROS analysis is a map that shows different recreation opportunity settings with specifically defined conditions for each setting. The LAC planning system was founded on premise that change is a natural and inevitable characteristic of settings.
