A study of the effects of trampling on the vegetation of Lake Huron sand dunes at Pinery Provincial Park

Plots in established heath-grassland vegetation and pure stands of Calamovilfa longifolia (Hook) Scribn. on Lake Huron sand dunes were subjected to tramppling treatments at various intensities during 1977 and 1978 and were monitored for one year following treatment. Both heath-grassland and Calamovilfa plots given 50 walking passages showed complete recovery within one year after treatment. Heavier treatments (200 walking passages) on Calamovilfa caused a significant reduction in cover one year later. Heavily trampled heath-grassland plots, although visually similar to their controls, had a continued loss of lichen cover over one year. Several species including Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., Andropogon scoparius Michx., some Carex species, Liatris cylindracea Michx. and Rosa blanda Ait. initiated new growth in the fall following heavy trampling treatment, but only shoots of Arctostaphylos survived the winter.