Environmental Impact - Soil/water effects

Sparrow, S. D., Wooding, F.J., & Whiting, E. H. (1978). Effects of off-road vehicle traffic on soils and vegetation in the Denali Highway region of Alaska. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, (January-February), 20-27.

Abstract

Examines the effects of vehicles on trails. The surface layer of living material was killed on all main trails. Varying amounts of organic matter was lost from the heavily used trails, depending on slope gradient and type of vehicle. Heavily used trails also lost their subsurface “frozen layer.” Soil depth and drainage were the most important factors influencing the condition of the trail, although it was observed that soil morphology was not generally altered except on the surface horizon. Researchers noted which vegetation was first to reclaim abandoned trails, and that most of the damage to the landscape was visual, due to poor route location and lack of erosion control measures.

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