Effects of three seasons of experimental trampling on five montane forest communities and a grassland in Western Montana, USA

Abstract

Six vegetation types, one grassland and five forest communities, were experimentally trampled for three successive summers. The relationships between amount of trampling and vegetation cover loss, species loss, and increase in penetration resistance were strongly curvilinear, approximating an asymptotic model in most cases. The relationship between amount of trampling and increase in mineral soil exposure was linear, beyond the level of trampling required to expose mineral soil. The relative vulnerability of each vegetation type was assessed, as was the number of years of trampling required before damage levelled off. Implications for management of recreation sites and design of trampling experiments are discussed.