The influence of use-related, environmental, and managerial factors on soil loss from recreational trails.

摘要: Recreational uses of unsurfaced trails inevitably result in their degradation, with the type and extent resource impact influenced by factors such as soil texture, topography, climate, trail design maintenance, amount use. Of particular concern, loss through erosion is generally considered a significant irreversible form impact. This research investigated influence several use-related, environmental, managerial on recreational roads at Big South Fork National River Recreation Area, unit U.S. Park Service. Regression modeling revealed that position, slope alignment angle, grade, water drainage, use are determinants loss. The introduction individual groups variables into series regression models provides improved understanding insights regarding relative these variables, informing selection more effective management actions. Study results suggest can be minimized avoiding "fall-line" alignments, steep grades, valley-bottom alignments near streams, installing maintaining adequate densities tread drainage features, applying gravel to harden treads, reducing horse all-terrain vehicle or restricting them resistant routes. also sought develop efficient Variable Cross-Sectional Area method for assessing trails. permitted incorporation CSA measures representative sampling scheme applied large (24%) sample park's 526 km system. variety derived from method, including extrapolated trail-wide estimates, permit an objective quantification roads. Such data support relational analyses increase long-term monitoring natural integrity system infrastructure.