Soil erosion and conservation in two geomorphic and recreational environments

Erosion in recreational areas is often triggered by vegetation removal as a result of activities like walking, horse-riding, camping, motor vehicle use, mountain bike riding, and development of visitor facilities. Sandy soils in two geomorphic settings were investigated for potential differences in erosion patterns and conservation practices. On a coastal sand dune (100% coarse sand) leading to a popular beach, fencing provided regulated access via rill-eroded, 2 m-wide paths over slopes ranging from 6.5 to 10 degrees and slope lengths from 35 to 45 m. Conservation measures on back-dune paths included repeated spreading of off-site silt/clay-based fill and/or road metal, later replaced by concreting. On the seaward-facing paths where potential erosion rates were estimated to be >10 times those on adjacent vegetated areas, a below-surface board-and-chain system was replaced on some paths by low maintenance solid-surface plastic pavers. In a second area, relic cliff-top dunes were traversed by a 26- km walking track with non-vegetated and unfenced pathway segments 1-3 m wide. Soil texture of the cliff-top dune was dominated by coarse sands (coarse:fine:silt of 91:9:

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Sands, erosion, recreation pathways, conservation.

Soil erosion and conservation in two geomorphic and recreational environments

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