The impact of vehicles on dune and grassland vegetation on a south-eastern North Carolina barrier beach.
Abstract
Two barrier beaches were compared with respect to vegetation patterns and soil compaction. One had been widely used by off-road vehicles the other had not. The vegetation cover and number of species present on both dunes and grassland were fewer on the area subjected to traffic. It is suggested that this reduction in vegetable cover may increase the intensity of oceanic overwash at this site. The soil was more compact where traffic had been most intense. It is suggested that this impaction may increase the area of salt flats in the impacted area.