Effect of experimental trampling and off-road motorcycle traffic on soil and vegetation of stabilized coastal dunes, Israel

Abstract

Coastal sand dunes are considered to be amongst the most fragile natural systems, however they may be subject to high-intensity recreational stresses. The aim of this study was to assess the response of soil and annual plants of stabilized Mediterranean coastal dunes in Israel to various short-duration pedestrian and motorcycle traffic intensities. A standard experimental procedure was used comprising of 0, 50, 100, 300 and 500 pedestrian passes, and 0, 20, 50, 100, 200 straight and 150 turn motorcycle passes. The response of annual plants was assessed by determining ground cover, height, species richness and diversity, and soil penetrable depth, organic matter and moisture content. The pedestrian traffic did not affect the cover of annual plants, however; mean annual height, species richness and species diversity were significantly but temporarily affected by 500 passes. Conversely, motorcycle passage had an immediate significant impact on annual plants at all traffic intensities. The maximum effect on plants was observed in the wheel tracks and in the turn lanes. The mean annual ground cover and height were less sensitive measures than species richness and diversity for determining the overall impact of motorcycles on the area. Impact of pedestrian and motorcycle traffic on soil was detected only as an increase in penetrable depth, which was significant at 300 and 500 pedestrian passes, and at 100, 200 straight and 150 turn motorcycle passes. The soil and herbaceous vegetation of Mediterranean stabilized coastal dunes is relatively resistant and shows recovery potential to recreational impacts.

Soil erosion and conservation in two geomorphic and recreational environments

“…Path characteristics and erosion, Study Area A, before installation of pavers , was estimated for the sandy, low-angle pathway at the northern end of the dune (Path 7), where any walker-generated sand movement down the gentle slope was countered by onshore winds blowing sand back from the beach. These results from the reconstructed dune at Study Site A contrast with those from levelled dune topography in Israel, where experiments involving trampling and vehicular traffic indicated that herbaceous Mediterranean vegetation was relatively resistant to heavy recreational pressure (Kutiel et al, 2000).…”

Extreme sports in natural areas: looming disaster or a catalyst for a paradigm shift in land use planning?

“…Dirt bikes have an immediate, temporary impact on vegetation cover, species diversity and soil compaction (Liddle 1997, Kutiel et al 2000. Longer-term impacts include soil compaction and erosion (Priskin 2003), soil loss and structural change (Goossens and Buck 2009), and a reduction in fauna and flora abundance and/or diversity, either by direct impact collision, or due to habitat destruction (Moss andMcPhee, 2006, Groom et al 2007).…”

“…Longer-term impacts include soil compaction and erosion (Priskin 2003), soil loss and structural change (Goossens and Buck 2009), and a reduction in fauna and flora abundance and/or diversity, either by direct impact collision, or due to habitat destruction (Moss andMcPhee, 2006, Groom et al 2007). Even at low intensity, impacts are higher than caused by walkers (Kutiel et al 2000), and similar to 4WDvehicles (Shaw andDiersing 1990, Rickard et al 1994). …”

Impact of Recreational Trampling on the Natural Vegetation in Termessos National Park, Antalya-Turkey

“…Several studies have shown that there is a delay between trampling impact and vegetation decline and long-term data is required for appropriate management of areas receiving sustained recreation use (Cole, 1987). Kutiel et al (2000) and Tzatzanis et al (2003) stated that the low intensity human impact can be alleviated by careful planning of access paths to avoid excessive trampling.…”