The Influence of Soil Properties on Degradation of Mountain Hiking Trails at Grövelsjön

Abstract

Recreational pressure on land above the treeline in the Swedish mountains has increased rapidly in recent years. Increased popularity of hiking in particular has in some areas resulted in trail erosion and landscape degradation. A study of recreational impact on hiking trails near Grövelsjön has shown that where use intensity is uniform incidence of damage depends largely on soil properties and profile characteristics. Properties of particular significance arc: abundance of rocks, homogeneity of texture, iron-pan morphology, aggregate stability and organic content. Organic soils are shown to be highly vulnerable to damage, especially during the peak tourist season when moisture contents are high. Severity of trail damage is discussed in relation to land-use planning objectives and recommendations are made for abandonment of the policy of trailmarking on lands above the treeline.