Abstract
ABSTRACTMultiple maps at a scale of 1:51,500, portraying the trail-related features of 43.4 km of recreational trails located in a mountainous area of the Poprad Landscape Park (south-central Poland), were produced. More specifically, the maps presented the spatial pattern of trail impacts (i.e. trail width; trail incision; the number of informal trails; old, abandoned trail sections; a presence of muddy sections and water puddles), as well as use-related (type and amount of use), environmental (vegetation type, density of forest floor/grassland and understorey layer along trails, aspect, and trail topographic position), and managerial (trail surface, grade, and alignment) factors. For the most part, the information was collected during field surveys using the Global Positioning System and Geographic Information System (GIS), but in a minority of cases it was calculated within the GIS-environment based on a digital elevation model. Collecting accurate data on condition of trails and elements that influenced their state is crucial for managers in protected natural areas who face the challenges of protecting nature and providing recreational opportunities at the same time.
Highlights
Many protected natural areas are managed in order to deliver two main ecosystem services: (1) sustain biodiversity by nature/landscape conservation and (2) provide recreational opportunities
The aim of this study is to develop maps of the Poprad Landscape Park’s (PLP) recreational trails presenting trail impacts and use-related, environmental, and managerial factors that potentially influence these unintended negative effects
The potential for enhanced soil erosion is serious, which is confirmed by the indicator of soil loss; that is, trail incision ranged from 0 to 4 m (Main Map 3)
Summary
Many protected natural areas are managed in order to deliver two main ecosystem services: (1) sustain biodiversity by nature/landscape conservation (supporting services) and (2) provide recreational opportunities (cultural services). Scientific understanding of the relationship between trail impacts and other elements is basic to a more effective and sustained management of recreational trails (Cole, 1993; Farrell & Marion, 2001; Leung & Marion, 1996; Marion & Leung, 2001; Olive & Marion, 2009)
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