期刊
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
卷 127, 期 -, 页码 50-60出版社
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.04.030
关键词
Recreation ecology; Nature-based tourism; Aconcagua; Walking; Trampling mules; Andes mountains
资金
- Wildlife Management Masters Program (Centro de Zoologia Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Argentina)
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S.F.W.S)
There is limited recreation ecology research in South America, especially studies looking at informal trails. Impacts of informal trails formed by hikers and pack animals on vegetation and soils were assessed for the highest protected area in the Southern Hemisphere, Aconcagua Provincial Park. The number of braided trails, their width and depth were surveyed at 30 sites along the main access route to Mt Aconcagua (6962 m a.s.l.). Species composition, richness and cover were also measured on control and trail transects. A total of 3.3 ha of alpine meadows and 13.4 ha of alpine steppe were disturbed by trails. Trails through meadows resulted in greater soil loss, more exposed soil and rock and less vegetation than trails through steppe vegetation. Trampling also affected the composition of meadow and steppe vegetation with declines in sedges, herbs, grasses and shrubs on trails. These results highlight how visitor use can result in substantial cumulative damage to areas of high conservation value in the Andes. With unregulated use of trails and increasing visitation, park agencies need to limit the further spread of informal trails and improve the conservation of plant communities in Aconcagua Provincial Park and other popular parks in the region. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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