An observation on trampling effects in North Norway: thresholds for damage

Gellatly, A. F., Whalley, W. B., Gordon, J. E. & Ferguson, R. I. 1986. An observation on trampling effects in North Norway: thresholds for damage. Norsk geogr. Tidsskr. Vol. 40, 163–168. Oslo. ISSN 0029–1951. Excessive trampling in sub-alpine environments results in footpath erosion. An experiment which describes the amount of trampling required to create a footpath is explained. Using a simple filtering mechanism, different trampling intensities can be determined simultaneously. Obvious damage to soil and plant cover occurred after 70 tramples. Sections trampled more than 80 times were still visibly affected one year later. A threshold for damage of less than 200 tramples is suggested, with implications for recreational management in similar areas.