Resistance of Atlantic Heathlands to trampling in Brittany (France): influence of vegetation type, season and weather conditions

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 97; no. 2; pp. 189 - 198
• Main Authors: Gallet, S, Roze, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Atlantic Heathlands; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration; Erica ciliaris; Erica cinerea; Erica spp; Experimental conditions; France; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Resistance; Trampling; France; Bretagne; Europe; Resistance; Experimental conditions; Erica spp; Trampling; Atlantic Heathlands; Heathland and moor; Interspecific comparison; Erica cinerea; Environmental management; Plant conservation; Climatic condition; Tourism; Ecological damage; Sensitivity resistance; Vegetation type; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Ericaceae; Erica; Season; Anthropogenic factor
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(00)00111-7

As a result of the large increase in tourist pressure, trampling has become an important factor in the degradation of natural areas and particularly Atlantic Heathlands. In this study, the resistance of dry and mesophilous heathlands was studied experimentally, under different environmental conditions. The trampling was applied in winter, and in summer in periods of wet and dry weather. The types of heathlands studied appeared to be moderately resistant to trampling. Mesophilous heathlands were on the whole more sensitive to trampling than dry heathlands. The resistance of these communities and of their component species varied greatly in relation to season and weather conditions. For example, Erica ciliaris was more resistant to trampling in summer than in winter, and in summer Erica cinerea was more sensitive to trampling in wet weather than in dry conditions. The analysis of the resistance of species showed that heather species were more sensitive than the rest of the plant cover. These heathers are characteristic species of the heathlands that were studied. The definition of acceptable visitor pressure thresholds must not be based on the index of resistance of the whole community, but on that of the characteristic species, in this case heathers. The aim of visitor pressure management must be to preserve the vegetation structure and not just simply plant cover.