The influence of use, environmental and managerial factors on the width of recreational trails

Wimpey, Jeremy; Marion, Jeffrey L.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.05.017

Cited by 82 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Soil loss, attributable to several causal factors, was assessed for the trails using three measures: mean trail depth (7.1 cm), maximum incision (19.0 cm) and cross-sectional area (444.5 cm 2 ). Relational analyses for soil loss revealed that level of trail use and trail grade had the most influence, however dependence with trail slope alignment angle was not significant as other studies found (e.g., Wimpey and Marion, 2010). Ólafsdót-tir and Runnström (2013) discovered, after analyzing several physical properties, that only elevation has a clear relationship with hiking trail condition in their study sites.…”

Section: Decision Treescontrasting

confidence: 52%

“…Trail width can also be influenced by many other variables including use level, visitor behavior, trail grade, landform grade, trail ruggedness and trail borders. Wimpey and Marion (2010) found the relationship of trail width was most associated with trail and landform grade and trail slope alignment since steeper grade restricted lateral dispersion of hikers. Our results confirm that trail width is predominantly a function of use level.…”

Section: Decision Treesmentioning

confidence: 94%

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Trail impact monitoring in Rocky Mountain National Park, USA

et al. 2016

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Abstract. This paper examines impacts of increased visitation leading to human trampling of vegetation and soil along several trails in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to understand how abiotic factors and level of use can influence trail conditions. RMNP is one of the most visited national parks in the USA, with 3.3 million visitors in 2012 across 1075 km 2 and 571 km of hiking trails. 95 % of the park is designated wilderness, making the balance between preservation and visitor use challenging. This research involves the application of trail condition assessments to 56 km of trails to determine prevailing factors and what, if any, connection between them exist. The study looked at a variety of inventory and impact indicators and standards to determine their importance and to develop a baseline condition of trails. The data can be used for future comparison and evaluation of development trends. We found that trail widening (mean trail width 88.9 cm) and soil loss (cross-sectional area 172.7 cm 2 ) are the most visible effects of trail degradation. Further statistical analyses of data identified the role and influence of various factors (e.g., use level and topography). Insights into the influence of these factors can lead to the selection of appropriate management measures to avoid or minimize negative consequences from increased visitation.

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Section: Decision Treescontrasting

confidence: 52%

Section: Decision Treesmentioning

confidence: 94%

Trail impact monitoring in Rocky Mountain National Park, USA

et al. 2016

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“…Most of these previous works were related to the overall problem of trail condition and degradation related to their utilization (e.g. Ballantyne and Pickering, 2015;Barros et al, 2013;Cakir, 2005;Leung and Marion, 1996;Marion and Olive, 2006;Monz et al, 2013;Olive and Marion, 2009;Pickering et al, 2010;Tomczyk andEwertowski, 2011, 2013b;Törn et al, 2009;Wimpey and Marion, 2010). However, in this study, we have used an ES perspective to highlight some of the additional benefits that can result from effective trail management.…”

Section: Scenario 3 -Trail Degradation and Natural Restorationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This will have knock-on consequences for CES, specifically recreation, since degraded trails have a negative impact on visitor numbers, experience and safety (Hammitt et al, 2015;Kim et al, 2003;Kim and Shelby, 2006;Moore et al, 2012;Roggenbuck et al, 1993;Verlič et al, 2015). Adverse impacts on trails may be limited to some extent by appropriate management activities such as planning, robust construction and regular maintenance (Cole, 1993;Leung and Marion, 1996;Olive and Marion, 2009;Wimpey and Marion, 2010). However, evaluations of management practices related to trail rehabilitation remain limited and have not previously been conducted within an ES framework.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of extreme natural events on the provision of ecosystem services in a mountain environment: The importance of trail design in delivering system resilience and ecosystem service co-benefits

Tomczyk

White

Ewertowski

2016

Journal of Environmental Management

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“…Grande parte do conhecimento sobre os efeitos dessa influência é proveniente da América do Norte, sobretudo dos Estados Unidos (Cole 1978, 1987, Cole & Marion 1988, Hall & Kuss 1989, Olive & Marion 2009, Wimpey & Marion 2010) e, em menor número, da Europa, Ásia e Oceania (Sun & Walsh 1998, Pickering & Hill 2007, Törn et al 2009). Em relação ao Neotrópico, que abriga elevada biodiversidade (e.g., Antonelli & Sanmartín 2011), apenas recentemente iniciaram-se investigações nesse sentido -notadamente a partir de Rodolfo et al (2008a, b), Villagra (2008) Conforme demonstrado em alguns estudos, principalmente os que tratam sobre o efeito de borda, as alterações das condições abióticas do ambiente, como as provocadas pelo desmatamento e abertura de clareiras e trilhas, são capazes de provocar mudanças em comunidades vegetais (Murcia 1995).…”

Section: Trilhas Podem Influenciar Padrões De Vegetação E Fatores Abiunclassified

Trilhas e seu papel ecológico: o que temos aprendido e quais as perspectivas para a restauração de ecossistemas?

Eisenlohr

Meyer

Miranda

et al. 2013

Hoehnea

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-(Trails and their ecological role: what have we learned and what are the prospects for restoration of ecosystems?). We aimed at reviewing the ecological role of the trails and inserting this theme into restoration ecology projects. For a comprehensive understanding of this ecological role, we addressed the applicability of trails to Environmental Education (EE) projects and their impacts on vegetation. We showed that trails are suitable places to practice EE programs. On the other hand, we point out a number of potential concerns arising from the use and opening of trails as, for example, soil compaction and changes in the composition, structure, and diversity of adjacent vegetation. Hence, we indicate that trails can be addressed in restoration projects of ecosystems. We conclude by suggesting some questions that can guide future works on trails and vegetation, including their connections with restoration ecology. Keywords: Environmental Education, forest fragmentation, human impacts, soil compaction, species diversity RESUMO -(Trilhas e seu papel ecológico: o que temos aprendido e quais as perspectivas para a restauração de ecossistemas?). Nosso objetivo foi revisar o papel ecológico das trilhas e inserir essa temática nos projetos de restauração ecológica. Para uma compreensão abrangente desse papel ecológico, abordamos tanto as possíveis aplicações das trilhas para projetos de Educação Ambiental (EA) quanto seus impactos sobre a vegetação. Mostramos que as trilhas ecológicas constituem espaços adequados para a prática de programas de EA. Por outro lado, apontamos uma série de potenciais problemas advindos da abertura e utilização de trilhas, como, por exemplo, compactação do solo e alterações na composição, estrutura e diversidade da vegetação adjacente, para então indicarmos que é possível abordar as trilhas nos projetos de restauração de ecossistemas. Concluímos sugerindo algumas perguntas que poderão nortear os futuros trabalhos sobre trilhas e vegetação, incluindo suas conexões com a restauração ecológica. Palavras-chave: compactação do solo, diversidade de espécies, Educação Ambiental, fragmentação florestal, impactos antrópicos

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The influence of use, environmental and managerial factors on the width of recreational trails

Cited by 82 publications

References 24 publications

Trail impact monitoring in Rocky Mountain National Park, USA

Trail impact monitoring in Rocky Mountain National Park, USA

Effects of extreme natural events on the provision of ecosystem services in a mountain environment: The importance of trail design in delivering system resilience and ecosystem service co-benefits

Trilhas e seu papel ecológico: o que temos aprendido e quais as perspectivas para a restauração de ecossistemas?

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