Environmental Impact - Wildlife/Vegetation Effects

Anders, F. J., & Leatherman, S. P. (1987). Effects of off-road vehicles on coastal foredunes at Fire Island, New York, USA. Environmental Management, 11(1), 45-52.

Abstract

Examines beach areas traversed by "ORV's" however what kind of ORV is not specified. Compared to control sites with no ORV passes, the sites traversed by the ORV's killed off the surface vegetation but the subsurface root system survived. This retarded the yearly beachward advance of vegetation. In heavily traversed area the root systems were also destroyed. After a rest period of several months the vegetation resumed its beachward growth. Concludes that due to the critically narrow aspect of the island beach, the vegetation loss would ultimately cause the loss of the dune system supporting the beach, and accelerate beach loss during high tide and storm events. Includes bibliography.

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