Post by Essier on Oct 26, 2003 17:54:32 GMT -5
Hikers poses a serious threat to native biological diversity, water quality, and ecosystem health. Hikers have significant environmental impacts, especially in fragile habitats such as wetlands, deserts and tundras. Hikers can cause harm to ecosystems and soils in areas much greater than the constructed trail, since trails themselves generally expand and change over time. To make matters worse, in many places hikers are allowed -- and often encouraged -- to travel off-trail. As hikers move further and further off trail to avoid muddy areas or obstacles, such as fallen trees, the trail widens. Even where hikers use is restricted to trails, the rules are often not effectively enforced.
Soil Displacement
The use of the trails by hikers causes substantial erosion of the soils on which they travel. Soil erosion can expose the roots of plants. Displaced soil can bury downslope vegetation. Displaced soil typically finds its way into waterways, which can negatively impact aquatic species.
Soil Compaction
Primarily because of their weight, hikers feet tend to compact the soils on which they are stepping. Compacted soil can cause damage to surface vegetation, disrupt nutrient cycling, and negatively affect the ability of roots to penetrate the soil.
Pollution
Hikers are allowed to pollute our air, water, and soil. Areas where hikers are recreating in large numbers experience severe air, soil and water pollution problems. Much of the pollution created by hikers eventually ends up settling on the soil and water and on the snow during winter months. This can harm soils, soil organisms and plants, and aquatic habitats. Hikers' vehicles also leak fuel, oil, antifreeze, and other dangerous chemicals.
Vegetation Damage
Hikers harm vegetation directly through trampling; soil compaction; and air, soil, and water pollution. The results are devastating: fewer plants, reduced plant cover, lowered plant diversity, and disruptions to plant successional and nutrient cycling processes. Hikers frequently trample, crush, uproot, and otherwise damage plants and their root systems. These disturbances lead the way to another problem: the invasion of exotic and noxious weed species.
Wildlife Damage
Hikers are responsible for four main types of impacts to wildlife: direct mortality, disturbance, noise, and habitat impacts. Incounters with wildlife often prove fatal to animals. For most wildlife, exposure to the noise and sight of hikers and bikers results in increased stress levels and energy expenditures. Hikers use fragments available wildlife habitat, dramatically reducing suitable homes for many wildlife species.
Protect our wildlife and wildlife habitat. Stop hiking on public lands.
Soil Displacement
The use of the trails by hikers causes substantial erosion of the soils on which they travel. Soil erosion can expose the roots of plants. Displaced soil can bury downslope vegetation. Displaced soil typically finds its way into waterways, which can negatively impact aquatic species.
Soil Compaction
Primarily because of their weight, hikers feet tend to compact the soils on which they are stepping. Compacted soil can cause damage to surface vegetation, disrupt nutrient cycling, and negatively affect the ability of roots to penetrate the soil.
Pollution
Hikers are allowed to pollute our air, water, and soil. Areas where hikers are recreating in large numbers experience severe air, soil and water pollution problems. Much of the pollution created by hikers eventually ends up settling on the soil and water and on the snow during winter months. This can harm soils, soil organisms and plants, and aquatic habitats. Hikers' vehicles also leak fuel, oil, antifreeze, and other dangerous chemicals.
Vegetation Damage
Hikers harm vegetation directly through trampling; soil compaction; and air, soil, and water pollution. The results are devastating: fewer plants, reduced plant cover, lowered plant diversity, and disruptions to plant successional and nutrient cycling processes. Hikers frequently trample, crush, uproot, and otherwise damage plants and their root systems. These disturbances lead the way to another problem: the invasion of exotic and noxious weed species.
Wildlife Damage
Hikers are responsible for four main types of impacts to wildlife: direct mortality, disturbance, noise, and habitat impacts. Incounters with wildlife often prove fatal to animals. For most wildlife, exposure to the noise and sight of hikers and bikers results in increased stress levels and energy expenditures. Hikers use fragments available wildlife habitat, dramatically reducing suitable homes for many wildlife species.
Protect our wildlife and wildlife habitat. Stop hiking on public lands.