THE EFFECTS OF VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ON DUNE VEGETATION IN SOUTH-AFRICA

被引：65
作者：
RICKARD, CA
MCLACHLAN, A
KERLEY, GIH
机构：
[1] Zoology Department, Institute for Coastal Research, University of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth, 6000
来源：
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT | 1994年 / 23卷 / 03期
关键词：
Coastal zones - Environmental impact - Motor transportation - Nonmotorized transportation - Off road vehicles - Plants (botany);
D O I：
10.1016/0964-5691(94)90021-3
中图分类号：
P7 [海洋学];
学科分类号：
0707 ;
摘要：
The effects of varying intensities of off-road vehicle and pedestrian traffic on vegetation height and percent-cover were investigated at two sites representing pioneer and climax dune shrub and communities in South African dune systems. In all cases, a decreasing trend in vegetation height and percentage cover subsequent to application of the treatments was evident, although this was more clear in the shrub than in the pioneer community. The impact on vegetation variables increased with increasing intensity of vehicle and pedestrian treatments. Vehicles driven along a curved path resulted in greater vegetation destruction than those driven along a straight path. High intensity (single application) treatments resulted in an initial decrease in vegetation height and cover immediately after the impact, which was followed by a further decline over the next 3 months. This two-step response was attributed to the subsequent gradual death of the vegetation which was not evident immediately following the impact. Due to their faster growth rate, pioneer dune communities appear to have the capacity to recover following impacts, while dune shrub communities tend to be more vulnerable, exhibiting signs of damage for longer periods. The results of this study have value for managers of coastal dune systems, particularly those impacted by human recreational activities.
引用
收藏
页码：225 / 247
页数：23
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