Hiker trampling impacts on Eastern forests

R.E. Leonard; J.L. McMahon; K.M. Kehoe; K.M. Kehoe

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-555

Treesearch

Hiker trampling impacts on Eastern forests

Informally Refereed

Authors:

R.E. Leonard, J.L. McMahon, K.M. Kehoe, K.M. Kehoe

Year:

1985

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-555

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-555. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5 p.

Download (PDF 465 KB)

Download (PDF 465 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/21741.pdf

Abstract

Trampling impact studies were conducted in two eastern forest stands in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. Changes in plant mortality on simulated trails during a trampling period and a recovery period were monitored photographically. The extent of damage and rate of recovery varied among species. For most species, the greatest change in plant mortality occurred between 100 and 300 trampling passes.

Keywords

trampling, plant mortality, hiker impact

Citation

Leonard, R.E.; McMahon, J.L.; Kehoe, K.M. 1985. Hiker trampling impacts on Eastern forests. Res. Pap. NE-555. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5 p.