Environmental Impact - Soil/water effects

Fish, E. B., Borthers, G.L., & Lewis, R.B. (1981). Erosional impacts of trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas. Landscape Planning, 8: 387-398.

Abstract

Twenty-six erosion transects were established on a variety of surface situations to include major trails and roads, small trails and non-trail controls. Transects were re-measured at intervals of 4, 5, 8 and 17 months. Results indicate that active soil movement is occurring throughout Gaudalupe Mountains National Park. Approximately 85% of the points measured showed evidence of change, either by erosion or deposition. Major trails and roads indicate a greater degree of instability based on cross-sectional area changes. A greater percentage of the cross-sectional area change is attributable to deposition in the major trail or road and small trail categories when compared to the control transect category. These results may indicate that the trail sites are serving as deposition zones as a result of their impedance of normal drainage routes.

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