Environmental Impact - Wildlife/Vegetation Effects

Bright, J. A. (1986). Hiker Impact on Herbaceous Vegetation along Trails in an Evergreen Woodland of Texas. Biological Conservation 36: 53-69.

Abstract

Three trails in an evergreen woodland were chosen to study the effects of human trampling on non-woody vegetation, leaf litter, trail width, and herbaceous species diversity Leaf litter significantly increased with distance from entry points and was greater in off-trail control plots than trail plots. Plant cover showed the reverse trend being greater in trail plots than controls. Leaf litter and plant cover were also significantly correlated with canopy, indicating environmental influence. However, Carex planostachys Kunze, the most successful plant on the trails, was equally prevalent in trail and control plots, demonstrating tolerance to both trampling and shade Herbaceous species diversity was greater in trail plots and beginning stations than in control plots and trail end stations. Weedy annuals contributed the most to diversity in autumn whereas native perennials were most important in the spring. Trampling and trail side vegetation each influenced trail width more than slope or soil type. Trails were wide near entry points except where dense vegetation confined hikers to a narrow path. In general, the nature of trail-border vegetation was influential in controlling leaf litter, light, and hiker traffic patterns.

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