Environmental Impact - Environmental assessments (EIS etc.)

Cole, D. N. & Trull, S. (1992). Quantifying vegetational response to recreational disturbance in the Northern Cascades. Washington. Northwest Science 66(4): 229-236.

Abstract

Vegetational response to various levels of controlled recreational trampling is described and the variation in response between vegetational types and species is explored. Four vegetation types were trampled at intensities that ranged from 25 to 700 times. Responses shortly after trampling and after one year of recovery were documented. Vegetational response varied significantly both with trampling intensity and between vegetation types. A sedge meadow dominated by black alpine sedge was about 25 times more resistant to trampling damage than a sub-alpine for meadow, in which Sitka valerian was the most abundant species. Recovery during the year that followed trampling was greatest in the forb meadow; it was lowest in the two vegetation types dominated by woody species - heather and boxwood. The resistance and resilience of individual species was also assessed. Species resistance appears to be determined by the location and toughness of perennating tissues and by the growth rate of regenerating tissues. These results have immediate application to recreation managers ad also increase our basic understanding of disturbance ecology.

Need information fast?

Fast Search