ABSTRACT:
All impacts of visitor use within the corridor of the 93-km-long (58-mile) Knobstone Hiking Trail in southern Indiana were systematically evaluated. On an areal basis, camping impacts were not extensive. When present, these impacts afected the trail environment through increased soil compaction and exposure, tree wounds, floristic dissimilarity, loss of dufl, and site development. The most striking impact was pervasive damage by of-road vehicles, including tread widening, entrenchment, and soil exposure.
Footnotes
Charles O. Mortensen is a professor and chairman of the Natuml Resources Department, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306. This research was supported by the Office of Research, Ball State University. The author gratefully acknowledges the cooperation of the Division of Outdoor Recreation, Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
- Copyright 1989 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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