Rupf Reto

Impacts of informal trails in forested areas close to Zurich - with special regards to mountain biking

Project Number: CH-5788
Project Type: Master
Project Duration: 09/01/2014 - 10/31/2015 project completed
Funding Source: other ,
Leading Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg i.B. und Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenchaften ZHAW, Wädenswil.
Project Leader: Prof. Reto Rupf
Head Centre Nature Management
Geoecology
Institut Umwelt & Natürliche Ressourcen (IUNR)
ZHAW
Grüental - Postfach 335
8820 Wädenswil
Phone: +41 (0) 58 934 59 07 ; +41 (0) 58 934 59 10
FAX: +41 (0) 58 934 59 11
e-Mail: reto.rupf(at)zhaw.ch
http://www.iunr.zhaw.ch

related to this project.
for which the project has a relevance.


Research Areas:
Biodiversity

Disciplines:
environmental sciences


Abstract:
Recreational use of forest areas results in some degree of environmental damage. This can include the formation of visitor-created informal trails. Nowadays, informal trail proliferation is an important management concern in many natural areas worldwide. To date, there is a lack in research focussing on mapping and investigating informal trail related impacts. These impacts can be severe, often resulting in resource degradation and habitat fragmentation.

This thesis examines informal trails within three peri-urban forested study areas close to Zuerich, Switzerland. It assesses the spatial distribution and characteristics of informal trail segments, as well as their contribution to trail-based fragmentation. Furthermore, the study examines to which extent off-trail mountain biking and associated unauthorized trail technical features impact these forested areas. Differences between informal trail segments used exclusively by mountain bikers and other informal trail segments are assessed. Data was collected during a two-month assessment period in early summer 2015. Informal trail segments were mapped using a GPS device.

Within the three study areas a total of 19.7km of informal trails was mapped. 76.9% of those trails were used by hikers and 71.2% were used by mountain bikers. More than one fifth of the total disturbed ground was associated with mountain biking on informal trails. Unauthorized trail technical features accounted for less than 10% of the impact caused by off-trail mountain biking. The present study found that informal trail segments used exclusively by mountain bikers and those used by other user groups can differ in their characteristics, in their spatial distribution and in the degree of fragmentation they cause. However, research findings showed significant higher values in average slope, side-effect of trail width and maximum trail incision for informal trail segments used exclusively by mountain bikers.
Results highlight how informal trail use can result in cumulative damage to forested areas close to urban settlements. Additionally, findings show how informal trails can fragment forested areas internally. Results of this study can provide a scientific basis for management decisions to minimize the impacts caused by informal trails. Management should seek to limit the formation of informal trails and should close inappropriate ones, which pose a threat to the ecosystem.


Publications:
Herten, Miriam. 2015. Impacts of Informal Trails in Forested Areas close to Zuerich - With special regards to mountain biking. Masterthesis, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau and Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW) Wädenswil.
pdf Masterthesis


Last update: 7/18/17
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-5788

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