Vegetation Structure in Northern Mixed Chaparral as
Affected by Trail Usage and Location
by
Caitlin Maire Dempsey
Master of Arts in Geography
University of California, Los Angeles, 1998
Professor Hartmut S. Walter, Chair
Abstract
With the rise in visitation to parks and recreation areas nationwide, there is a growing need for research in the field of recreation ecology. A greater understanding of the relationship between recreational impacts and changes in the surrounding biotic communities is needed in order to provide effective management of those areas and to minimize those impacts.
This study looked at the changes in vegetation structure and species richness brought on by trail usage and location in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA). Vegetation was sampled within 2x1m quadrats every 10 meters along a 50m transect placed 05.m, 5m and 20m from the trail edge. Species richness and growth form (herb, graminoid and shrubs) coverage were measured in order to determine the changes occurring with distance from the trail.
This study found an internal edge effect was created by trails. In addition vegetation structure varied dramatically along trail edges and was dominated by herbs and graminoids. Trail usage was a greater influence in determining vegetation structure and species richness than trail location. A higher presence of exotics was measured, particularly along multiple use trails which form the majority of trails within the SMMNRA.
Read the thesis
- Vegetation Structure in Northern Mixed Chaparral as Affected by Trail Usage and Location, by Caitlin Maire Dempsey, UCLA, 1998. (PDF – 15.8MB in size)
How to Cite This Thesis
MLA
Dempsey, Caitlin M. Vegetation structure in northern mixed chaparral as affected by trail usage and location. 1998. University of California, Los Angeles, MA thesis.
APA
Dempsey, C. M. (1998). Vegetation structure in northern mixed chaparral as affected by trail usage and location [Unpublished master’s thesis]. University of California, Los Angeles .
Chicago
Dempsey, Caitlin M. “Vegetation structure in northern mixed chaparral as affected by trail usage and location.” Master’s thesis, University of California, Los Angeles, 1998.