| Records |
| Author |
De Stoppelaire, G.H.; Gillespie, T.W.; Brock, J.C.; Tobin, G.A. |
| Title |
Use of remote sensing techniques to determine the effects of grazing on vegetation cover and dune elevation at Assateague Island National Seashore: impact of horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Environmental Management |
Abbreviated Journal |
Environ Manage |
| Volume |
34 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages  |
642-649 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Animals, Wild; Conservation of Natural Resources; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; *Feeding Behavior; *Horses; Maryland; Plants/*growth & development; Population Dynamics; Silicon Dioxide; *Soil |
| Abstract |
The effects of grazing by feral horses on vegetation and dune topography at Assateague Island National Seashore were investigated using color-infrared imagery, lidar surveys, and field measurements. Five pairs of fenced and unfenced plots (300 m2) established in 1993 on sand flats and small dunes with similar elevation, topography, and vegetation cover were used for this study. Color-infrared imagery from 1998 and field measurements from 2001 indicated that there was a significant difference in vegetation cover between the fenced and unfenced plot-pairs over the study period. Fenced plots contained a higher percentage of vegetation cover that was dominated by American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata). Lidar surveys from 1997, 1999, and 2000 showed that there were significant differences in elevation and topography between fenced and unfenced plot-pairs. Fenced plots were, on average, 0.63 m higher than unfenced plots, whereas unfenced plots had generally decreased in elevation after establishment in 1993. Results demonstrate that feral horse grazing has had a significant impact on dune formation and has contributed to the erosion of dunes at Assateague Island. The findings suggest that unless the size of the feral horse population is reduced, grazing will continue to foster unnaturally high rates of dune erosion into the future. In order to maintain the natural processes that historically occurred on barrier islands, much larger fenced exclosures would be required to prevent horse grazing. |
| Address |
US Geological Survey, Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA. georgia.destoppelaire@my.FWC.com |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
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Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0364-152X |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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| Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:15633024 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
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Serial |
1896 |
| Permanent link to this record |
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| Author |
Pickering, C.M.; Hill, W. |
| Title |
Impacts of recreation and tourism on plant biodiversity and vegetation in protected areas in Australia |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2007 |
Publication |
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Abbreviated Journal |
J Environ Manage |
| Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
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| Keywords |
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| Abstract |
This paper reviews recent research into the impact of recreation and tourism in protected areas on plant biodiversity and vegetation communities in Australia. Despite the international significance of the Australian flora and increasing visitation to protected areas there has been limited research on recreational and tourism impacts in Australia. As overseas, there are obvious direct impacts of recreation and tourism such as clearing of vegetation for infrastructure or damage from trampling, horse riding, mountain biking and off road vehicles. As well, there are less obvious but potentially more severe indirect impacts. This includes self-propagating impacts associated with the spread of some weeds from trails and roads. It also includes the severe impact on native vegetation, including many rare and threatened plants, from spread of the root rot fungus Phytopthora cinnamomi. This review highlights the need for more recreational ecology research in Australia. |
| Address |
International Centre for Ecotourism Research, Griffith University, PMB 50 Gold Coast Mail Centre, Gold Coast, Qld. 9726, Australia |
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Thesis |
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Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0301-4797 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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| Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
PMID:17234325 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2620 |
| Permanent link to this record |
