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The effects of human trampling on the microbiological properties of soil and vegetation in mediterranean mountain areas

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Author

  • M. E. Lucas-Borja
  • F. Bastida
  • J. L. Moreno
  • César Nicolás Cuevas
  • M. Andres
  • F. R. López
  • A. del Cerro

Summary, in English

Increased tourist activity and recreational use of wilderness and other protected areas has endangered zones of high environmental value. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of trampling intensity (low, high use trails and untrampled trails) and distance from the trails (on the trails, at 10 and 20m from the trails) on the vegetation, chemical, physical and microbiological properties of a soil in Mediterranean mountain areas. Trail type and distance from the trail significantly influenced several parameters. High use trails showed lower values of plant cover and diversity of vegetation species, as well as soil respiration and some enzyme activities (phosphatase, β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase) than low use trails. In addition, the effects of trampling spatially extended further from these high use trails than from low use trails. Statistical analysis showed that some microbiological (basal respiration, dehydrogenase activity and β-glucosidase activity) and vegetal parameters (plant cover and diversity) may be established as a set of indicators for the evaluation of soil quality on these areas subjected to human trampling. We concluded that trampling significantly impacts on soil microbial processes and vegetal communities, and visitor should be restricted from entering ecologically sensitive areas due to the effects of trampling. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publishing year

2011

Language

English

Pages

383-394

Publication/Series

Land Degradation and Development

Volume

22

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Biological Sciences

Keywords

  • Enzyme activity
  • Human trampling
  • Mediterranean mountain areas
  • Plant cover
  • Soil microbial activity
  • Soil quality
  • Spain

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1099-145X