July 26, 2007
Vegetation on this sandy hillside has been stripped away by recreational
vehicle use. Surviving plants are most likely invasive species. A combination of
thin soil, no vegetation cover, reduced moisture retention and high temperatures
means site recovery will be extremely slow. By comparison, the foreground shows
undisturbed vegetation.
This wetland has been extensively damaged by trucks and ATVs to the extent it
may not recover. Some areas have been reduced to mud with no vegetation. The
loss of remaining plant and animal life is imminent. Further damage by off-road
vehicles could puncture the wetland’s clay liner, which would cause the wetland
to dry up permanently.
Routine climbing by ATVs has destroyed this hillside’s vegetation. As a result,
wind and water erosion is starting to occur. Evidence of expanded damage can
been see in the photos’ top left-hand corner, which shows where new trails are
being developed. Hillsides are extremely sensitive due to their naturally sparse
vegetation, fine soils and low moisture levels. Recovery will take tens of
thousands of years where there’s bare soil.
This area has been extensively damaged by off-road vehicles. This pasture could
be providing forage for cattle and wildlife, but past use by ATVs and trucks has
destroyed sensitive plant communities. |
