This research investigated the influence of several use-related, environmental, and managerial factors on soil loss on recreational trails and roads at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the U.S. National Park Service.
Recreational uses of unsurfaced trails inevitably result in their degradation, with the type and extent of
resource impact influenced by factors such as soil texture, topography, climate, trail design and maintenance, and type and amount of use. Of particular concern, the loss of soil through erosion is generally
considered a significant and irreversible form of trail impact. This research investigated the influence of
several use-related, environmental, and managerial factors on soil loss on recreational trails and roads at
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the U.S. National Park Service. Regression
modeling revealed that trail position, trail slope alignment angle, grade, water drainage, and type of use
are significant determinants of soil loss. The introduction of individual and groups of variables into
a series of regression models provides improved understanding and insights regarding the relative
influence of these variables, informing the selection of more effective trail management actions. Study
results suggest that trail erosion can be minimized by avoiding ‘‘fall-line’’ alignments, steep grades, and
valley-bottom alignments near streams, installing and maintaining adequate densities of tread drainage
features, applying gravel to harden treads, and reducing horse and all-terrain vehicle use or restricting
them to more resistant routes.
This research also sought to develop a more efficient Variable Cross-Sectional Area method for assessing soil loss on trails. This method permitted incorporation of CSA measures in a representative sampling scheme applied to a large (24%) sample of the park’s 526 km trail system. The variety of soil loss measures derived from the Variable CSA method, including extrapolated trail-wide soil loss estimates, permit an objective quantification of soil erosion on recreational trails and roads. Such data support relational analyses to increase understanding of trail degradation, and long-term monitoring of the natural and recreational integrity of the trail system infrastructure.
Published December 2008
Trails and Resilience: Review of the Role of Trails in Climate Resilience and Emergency Response
posted Apr 12, 2023
Trails are often overlooked as elements of essential infrastructure for a resilient transportation system.1 In emergencies where other transportation facilities are shut down or inaccessible, people may use trails to get where they need to go.
Building a Permeable, Low Maintenance Recreational Trail Along a Shoreline
posted Apr 7, 2023
In 2009, the city of The Colony planned to build a recreational trail (10 foot-wide, 3.5 mile pathway) that would run along the lake’s shoreline, contouring to its natural shape and providing residents with a picturesque route for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, and cycling. The city selected the GEOWEB® Soil Stabilization System due to its flexibility to conform to curves, surface permeability, and low maintenance design.
All-Terrain Vehicle Sustainability Assessments
posted Jul 15, 2022
The sustainable management of ATV use is an expensive proposition requiring careful design, construction, and maintenance of ATV trails.
posted Jul 15, 2022
This research assessed the condition and sustainability of the trail system at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, a National Park Service unit that partners with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in the management of this unit.
