Environmental Impact - Soil/water effects

Rickard, W. Jr & Brown, J. (1974). Effects of vehicles on arctic tundra. Environmental Conservation 1(1): 55-62.

Abstract

Examination of the effects of a variety of purpose-built overland vehicles used in the tundra, from the 1940's and later. The researchers test various vehicles to determine the extent they damage the thin "soil mat" that covers the permanent ice. From these tests, it was extrapolated that the long term impacts of surface travel is a function of the time of year when the travel occurs, the type of substrate, the vegetation, soil moisture, ground-contact pressure of the vehicle, the type of propulsion, and operator technique. The soil loss in the studied tracks was greatly accelerated and recovery very slow even under the most cautious operation. Not recreational-OHV specific. Includes bibliography.

Need information fast?

Fast Search