Littlemore, James (1998) The ecological impact of recreation in British temperate woodlands. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

In
recent
decades, the ecological
impact
of recreation
in
woodlands and
forests has
been
a subject of considerable world-wide
interest. However, there are
few
studies
examining the effects of recreation on woodland vegetation, soils and fauna in
Britain.
This thesis
identifies
recreational trampling as a major contributor
in facilitating
ecological change
in
urban
fringe
semi-natural ancient
temperate woodlands of
Warwickshire, England. Relationships
with trampling
intensity
are generally curvi-
linear,
suggesting that the rates of
damage
are most rapid at
initial
stages of
trampling.
Biotic
communities are shaped so
that their structure and
diversity is
related to the type, intensity
and frequency
of
impact.
The impact
of trampling on vegetation
is
the most precise
indicator
of recreational
use.
Multi-variate
analyses
indicates that trampling
is the primary organisational
gradient operating on ground vegetation, with trail centres dominated by
secondary
plant associations at equilibrium with the trampling pressure.
Trail
margins are
dominated by
vegetation that is tolerant of
low levels
of trampling and
high
rates of
competition.
Experimental trampling experiments show that the ecological carrying capacity of
woodlands
for
recreation are
lower than previously thought;
from below 150 people
per year
in Rubusfruticosus
agg. and Pteridium
aquilinum
dominated stands to
below
75
people per year
in
coniferous stands with
Hyacinthoides non-scripta ground
flora.
The
ability of vegetation
to tolerate trampling is
related
to plant anatomy,
morphological adaptations, plant strategies, growth rate, position of
the
perennating
bud,
environmental conditions such as canopy
density
and
is
more a
function
of the
ability to recover
from trampling rather
than to resist.
By virtue of
their delicate
morphology, stands
dominated by
shade tolerant species are the most vulnerable to
trampling.
Increases in
soil compaction and
decreases in
pore space and oxygen content are
recognised as important in
shaping woodland vegetation and fauna,
and the reduction
in
soil
inhabiting invertebrate
and micro-organism populations
have
consequences for
woodland processes.
A bioindicator index to assess soil
damage is
provided using
Acari body length.
Models
summarising the ecological changes associated with
trampling and the
ecological carrying capacity of woodlands are provided, along with a woodland
management checklist and an
index
of vulnerability
for
resource
managers to assess
the potential of woodland stands to withstand recreational use.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education Q Science > QK Botany
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Forests and forestry -- Great Britain, Ecology -- Great Britain, Soil ecology -- Great Britain, Environmental management -- Great Britain, Soils -- Environmental aspects -- Great Britain, Forest reserves -- Recreational use , Forest plants -- Great Britain
Official Date:	September 1998
Dates:	Date Event September 1998 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Institute of Education
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Barker, Susan, Dr.
Sponsors:	University of Warwick
Extent:	361, [36] leaves : illustrations
Language:	eng

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