Effects of recreational activities on the soil and water components of a deciduous forest ecosystem in Turkey

Abstract

Impacts of recreational activities on some hydrological properties of a deciduous forest ecosystem related to water production have been evaluated with an inclusive soil study, coupled with a two‐year water quality monitoring program. Spatial variations of water quality parameters did not indicate a statistically significant deterioration caused by the recreational activities in the stream water, but the effects of trampling on physical soil properties were clear. The bulk density of the soils increased with the intensity of recreation from 1.18 to 1.29 g cm−3, while the percentage of clay fraction decreased, as an indicator of erosion. The soils of the stream banks in the recreation area had reasonable saturated hydraulic conductivity values, and were affected sharply by the intensity of recreational use. The low inclination (0.5%) and the coarse texture of the soils were possibly the main factors diminishing or concealing the trampling effects not observed on the water quality of the stream passing through the recreation area.