Impacts of recreational human trampling on selected soil and vegetation properties of Aladag Natural Park, Turkey

Highlights

• The controlled trampling study was conducted in Aladag Mountains Natural Park.

• Trampling affected soil and vegetation properties.

• Total porosity and soil penetration resistance are most affected from the trampling.

• Trampling intensity caused a reduction in vegetation covers and vegetation height.

Abstract

A controlled trampling study was conducted in Nigde–Aladag Mountains Natural Park, a popular destination for recreational activity, to explore the short-term impacts of different trampling intensities (0, 25, 75, 200, 500 passes) on soil and vegetation. Short-term recreational trampling activities do not significantly affect most of the topsoil properties. The most affected soil properties are total porosity and soil penetration resistance. The soil penetration resistance of topsoils significantly increased after 200 and 500 pass plots compared to the control plots. The soil penetration resistance, which was 3.78 kg/cm² in the topsoil of control plots, reached 6.06 kg/cm² after 500 passes. Total porosity of topsoils in 500 passes was significantly different from the control plots. While the total porosity was 52.38% in the topsoil of control plots, it decreased to 41.41% after 500 passes. In the short-term, the other soil properties remain the same in general. The relative vegetation cover and relative vegetation height also significantly decrease after trampling. The relative vegetation cover, which declined to 84% after 25 passes, decreased to 67% after 500 passes. Relative vegetation height was 69% after 25 passes and decreased to 27% after 500 passes. The significant decrease in total vegetation cover was observed after 200 and 500 passes. Compared to the control lane, vegetation height was significantly different from the 25, 75, 200 and 500 passes.

Introduction

In recent years, highland ecosystems across the globe have become increasingly popular for recreation and tourism, but recreational activities have various impacts on natural ecosystems. Human trampling is the most widespread and systematic of these and can readily lead to recreational degradation of natural systems (Bayfield, 1971, Cole, 1994, Hill and Pickering, 2006). Trampling due to recreational hiking in natural parks and rural areas causes degradation of land resources and vegetation. The most hazardous impacts of trampling are the disappearance of rare plants, the denuding of vegetation, and the initiation of erosion (Zika, 1991). The use of grasslands, especially clearings within forests, causes soil compaction and an increase in bulk density (Vimmerstadt et al., 1982). The increase in soil bulk density also reduces its water-holding capacity and leads to greater soil loss through runoff. Over-compaction depends on various factors, such as the physical properties of soil, soil texture, trampling density, and weight of the person (Brady and Weil, 1999). Experimental trampling studies are the best indicator soil and vegetation responses to increasing visitor density and various usage types (Monz et al., 2010). However, ecological processes unfold over time periods much longer than the typical research project. Although short-term studies can provide good estimations of long-term impacts, the results may not always be apparent without long-term time intervals (Briggs and Borer, 2005, Freckleton, 2004).

The research into trampling in Turkey mainly focuses on the impacts of grazing on soil and vegetation (Basaran et al., 2008, Gokbulak, 2003, Oztas et al., 2003), though studies that note the long-term impacts of human recreational activities on soil properties also exist (Cakir et al., 2010, Ozcan et al., 2011, Serengil and Ozhan, 2007, Yuksek, 2009). However, there is lack of research into the immediate effects of trampling on soil and vegetation.

The study site in the Aladag Mountains is located within the provincial borders of Kayseri–Nigde–Adana. The region is remarkable for its geomorphological and ecological attractions and provides several tourism facilities. The Aladag Mountains are the best place for ecotourism activities such as trekking and hiking in the Central Taurides. However, as the national and international use of the region for sport and tourism intensifies in an uncontrolled manner, the anthropogenic and grazing effects on the Aladag Mountains ecosystem also increase (Kayacılar, 2013). Various studies have also been conducted in relation to the geological and geomorphologic structure of the region (Blumenthal, 1952, Tekeli et al., 1981), but a comprehensive study that scientifically examines the impacts of recreational practices on the soil resources is unavailable. Planning the recreational activity and protecting the ecological structure of the Aladag Mountains, which attract thousands of tourists each year, are significant challenges for the sustainable use of the area. This study is the first study to be conducted on this topic in the research area. Therefore, our objective was to obtain new data from the semi-arid region of Turkey. The distinguishing feature of this study compared to others conducted in our country is that it examines the short-term (one week after trampling) impacts of trampling intensity on the soil and vegetation in established transects that have been subjected to different trampling intensities (Cole and Bayfield, 1993). Most similar studies compare disturbed and undisturbed parts of recreational sites and address the long-term impacts of trampling.

The objective of this study is to reveal the short-term impacts of human trampling intensity on various soil and vegetation properties in the experimental trampling transects.