Area of vegetation loss: a new index of campsite impact

David N. Cole

doi:10.2737/INT-RN-389

Treesearch

Area of vegetation loss: a new index of campsite impact

Informally Refereed

Authors:

David N. Cole

Year:

1989

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/INT-RN-389

Source:

Res. Note INT-389. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 5 p

Download (PDF 77 KB)

Download (PDF 77 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/23897.pdf

Abstract

Expressions of the amount of vegetation lost on campsites should reflect both the proportion of vegetation lost and the area1 extent of vegetation loss. A new index-area of vegetation loss-incorporates these two elements by multiplying campsite area by absolute vegetation loss. Guidelines on how to take the measurements needed to calculate this index are provided Results of previous studies-using this new index-reconfirm the importance of concentrating camping both on a small number of sites and in a small area on each site.

Keywords

campsites, vegetation disturbance, recreation impact, wilderness management

Citation

Cole, David N. 1989. Area of vegetation loss: a new index of campsite impact. Res. Note INT-389. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 5 p