Marion Jeffrey L, Wimpey Jeremy
U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Tech, 310 W. Campus Dr., 304f Cheatham, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Jeremy Wimpey, Applied Trails Research, State College, PA 16803, USA.
J Environ Manage. 2017 Mar 15;189:46-57. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.11.074. Epub 2016 Dec 19.
Natural-surfaced trail systems are an important infrastructure component providing a means for accessing remote protected natural area destinations. The condition and usability of trails is a critical concern of land managers charged with providing recreational access while preserving natural conditions, and to visitors seeking high quality recreational opportunities and experiences. While an adequate number of trail management publications provide prescriptive guidance for designing, constructing, and maintaining natural-surfaced trails, surprisingly little research has been directed at providing a scientific basis for this guidance. Results from a review of the literature and three scientific studies are presented to model and clarify the influence of factors that substantially influence trail soil loss and that can be manipulated by trail professionals to sustain high traffic while minimizing soil loss over time. Key factors include trail grade, slope alignment angle, tread drainage features, and the amount of rock in tread substrates. A new Trail Sustainability Rating is developed and offered as a tool for evaluating or improving the sustainability of existing or new trails.
天然表面的步道系统是重要的基础设施组成部分，为进入偏远的受保护自然区域目的地提供了途径。步道的状况和可用性是土地管理者的关键关注点，他们既要在保护自然条件的同时提供休闲通道，也要满足寻求高质量休闲机会和体验的游客的需求。虽然有足够数量的步道管理出版物为天然表面步道的设计、建造和维护提供了规范性指导，但令人惊讶的是，针对为这种指导提供科学依据的研究却很少。本文呈现了文献综述和三项科学研究的结果，以建模并阐明对步道土壤流失有重大影响的因素的作用，这些因素可由步道专业人员进行操控，以维持高流量并随着时间推移将土壤流失降至最低。关键因素包括步道坡度、坡面排列角度、路面排水特征以及路面基层中的岩石含量。一种新的步道可持续性评级被开发出来，作为评估或改善现有或新步道可持续性的工具。
