The impacts of road and walking trails upon adjacent vegetation: effects of road building materials on species composition in a nutrient poor environment.

摘要: Abstract Roads represent an important landscape element affecting both biotic and abiotic components. Alteration of soil properties along roads (addition nutrients) is assumed to have a great impact on vegetation structure especially in nutrient poor ecosystems. Existing studies focus mainly road dust. In our study we assessed the overall effects upon adjacent alpine tundra soils Krkonose Mts, Czech Republic. Our aims were (1) reconstruct road-related changes using aerial data GPS mapping colonization roadside plant species; (2) assess physical–chemical composition transects; (3) propose conservation measures stop further damage. Changes reconstructed from historical multispectral photography (1986 1997), measured by device (1997, 2004), accompanied detailed (1998, 2000 2001) (2000 2004) surveys transects. Along alkaline roads, fast profound shifts (pH increased 3.9 up 7.6, base saturation 9–30% 100%), species recorded. The doubled area during studied decade. Stress-tolerant replaced meso- nitrophilous preferring man-made habitats. intensity depended significantly type material position relative (slope position, distance road). findings support assumption that gravel main cause area, indicate leading role water transport consequent alteration. To prevent damage recommended replacement granite, even though expensive technically complicated. Based recommendations, National Park authorities started trails, although recovery expected be slow.