Leopold Institute Publications
Leopold Institute Publications
The following publications have been produced by Leopold Institute staff and cooperators. To order these publications,
free of charge, use the Publication Order Form. All orders require the Leopold Institute publication number.
For non-Institute publications, see our list of other online library services.

View Selected Publication

Select another publication number to view citation:   
Citation for publication number 266:
Cole, David N. 1995. Disturbance of natural vegetation by camping: experimental applications of low-level stress. Environmental Management 19(3): 405-416.
Leopold Publication Number 266
Download this publication (126 K)
Order this publication (use publication number)




Abstract:
     Previously undisturbed sites in four different vegetation types were camped on for 1 night and for 4 nights. Changes in vegetation cover and vegetation height were measured after camping and 1 year later. Results are presented separately for different campsite zones--parts of the site where campers slept, cooked meals, and stored their packs. Just 1 night of camping was sufficient to cause evident impact in all four vegetation types, although the amount of impact varied significantly between zones and between vegetation types. Vegetation impact on campsites used 4 nights was generally less than twice as severe as impact on the sites used 1 night. The effects of camping on vegetation were also predicted for 12 other vegetation types on the basis of vegetational responses to experimental trampling. These results suggest that impact can almost always be minimized by confining camping to a small number of campsites instead of dispersing use across many campsites.

HOME   |   ABOUT US   |   RESEARCH PROGRAM   |   RESEARCH APPLICATION PROGRAM   |   STAFF
HOT TOPICS   |   CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS   |   PROJECTS   |   DATABASES & LINKS   |   SITEMAP


Accessibility Information

Questions about the Leopold Institute or this website should be addressed to 
RMRS_Leopold_Institute@fs.fed.us.
This website is maintained in cooperation with the University of Montana Wilderness Institute.

Us Forest ServiceBureau of Land ManagementUSGS Home PageNational Park ServiceUS Fish and Wildlife Service

TOP OF PAGE