Trampling effects of hikers, motorcycles and horses in meadows and forests.
Abstract
The effects of experimental trampling due to hikers, horses, and motorcycles were studied in a Festuca idahoensis/Poa pratensis meadow and in a Pinus albicaulis/Vaccinium scoparium forest. Horses and motorcycles were more damaging than hikers. Motorcycles were most damaging when going uphill while hikers and horses were most damaging when going downhill. Damage was less rapid in grassy vegetation than in shrubby vegetation. Damage was generally greater on slopes than on level ground.<new para>ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:<new para>The effects of trampling due to hikers, horses and motor cycles were studied in a meadow and a forest. Horses and motorcycles were more damaging when going uphill while hikers and horses were most damaging when going downhill. Damage was less rapid in grassy vegetation but was greater on slopes than on level ground.<new para>ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:<new para>The effects were studied of experimental trampling by (a) hikers, (b) motorcycles and (c) horses on the % bare ground, trail width, trail depth and bulk density in cores to 10 cm depth in a Festuca idahoensis/Poa pratensis meadow(2070 m alt.) and a Pinus albicaulis/Vaccinium scoparium forest (2770 m alt.) in Montana. When motorcycle speed was less than 20 km/h, damage increased from (a) through to (c), with (b) being relatively more damaging going uphill and (a) and (c) downhill. Trail management is briefly discussed.<new para>ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:<new para>The effects were studied of experimental trampling by (a) hikers, (b) motorcycles and (c) horses on the % bare ground, trail width, trail depth and bulk density in cores to 10 cm depth in a Festuca idahoensis/Poa pratensis meadow(2070 m alt.) and a Pinus albicaulis/Vaccinium scoparium forest (2770 m alt.) in Montana. When motorcycle speed was less than 20 km/h, damage increased from (a) through to (c), with (b) being relatively more damaging going uphill and (a) and (c) downhill. Trail management is briefly discussed.