Environmental Impact - Soil/water effects

Quinn, N. W., & Morgan, R. P. C. (1979). Simulation of soil erosion induced by human trampling. Journal of Environmental Management, 10, 155-165.

Abstract

Previous work on soil erosion induced by human trampling has concentrated on damage to vegetation cover to the virtual exclusion of studies on the mechanics of the processes involved and the measurement of soil loss and run-off. The results show that most damage to vegetation by walking arises from compaction by the heel in the early part ot each step and shearing by the toe action at the end of each step. The shearing action is the most important, and , within the 5 degree to 20 degree range of slopes studied, has its greatest effect on the steeper slopes. The breakdown of the soil by trampling occurs whilst wear of vegetation is still in progress, and not, as previously thought, after the vegetation cover has disappeared. Thus, by the time there is visual evidence of declining plant cover, the critical period in which erosion is initiated is already past.

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