Resumo: We conducted a comparative analysis of national parks in the National Capital Region of the National Park Service of the United States and the ICMBio Administrative Region CR-8 of Brazil consisting of all national parks in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Our objective was to determine park managers’ perceptions regarding the effect of public use on biodiversity conservation in national parks. The RAPPAM (Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management) survey instrument was administered. Unique to the current study was development of a set of 10 queries designed to investigate the relationship between public use and biodiversity conservation in national parks. Managers in both countries reported that the natural features and characteristics of parks (including their biodiversity) were being maintained with the current level of public use. This perception of park managers held up regardless of number of park visitors (P = 0.18). U.S. parks were significantly stronger (P = 0.03) with regard to tourism importance and were less vulnerable (P < 0.01) to several impacts than Brazilian parks. Management recommendations include maintaining adequate numbers of park personnel and budgets, and capability to monitor and limit public use if necessary.
