Recovery of trailside vegetation from trampling in a tropical rain forest

摘要: Practically no information exists on the impact of human trampling tropical rain forest vegetation. We studied three trails with varying periods use and recovery in a Costa Rica. Human trailside plants was curvilinearly related to use, as found by other workers temperate zone Recovery period two years eight months had been rapid, herbs seedlings were more abundant along recovering trail than undisturbed forest. The results imply that shifting mosaic trails, analogous created light gaps, may be best management technique minimize visitors forests.