You are here:
IMPACTS OF TRAILS AND RECREATIONISTS ON WILDLIFE
Impact/Purpose:
The White River National Forest (WRNF) is the predominant land base surrounding the upper elevations of the I-70 corridor of north central Colorado. The WRNF has the highest annual recreational use in the state - 9 million people - and it is 5th in the nation for user visits. Recreational use of the WRNF is expected to increase as a result of expansion efforts of the I-70 corridor. Little information exists concerning the impacts of recreational trail use on wildlife communities in the Rocky Mountain region. For example, the White River National Forest is currently revising its long-range management plan, but there is little data on the impacts of recreational activities like mountain biking on wildlife species. The Aspen Wilderness Workshop, in coordination with recreation, conservation, and academic interests, has developed a research project to collect scientifically credible data to discern the impacts of recreation on wildlife species and their habitat.
Description:
This project is an integrated collaborative initiative involving input and oversight from the White River National Forest, the Division of Wildlife, the University of Colorado, multiple recreation organizations and members of the conservation community in Colorado. The project has a significant volunteer component and collaborative partners have pledged in-kind services to ensure the success of the project. The objective of this project, titled Impacts of Trails and Recreationists on Wildlife, is to study ecological communities where trails are located in the WRNF and the I-70 corridor to determine impacts of trail use on natural communities and wildlife species. Conclusions from our research will facilitate the development of sound recreation management policy and will enable land-use planners and managers to plan recreational trail use while still protecting the ecological integrity of mountainous landscapes. Products include: 1. A final report to include results of thres years of data collection and analysis in the aspen grove community, as well as a summary of the first year of research conducted in the three additional community types to be added to the project. 2. A manuscript will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. Such a paper would describe how recreational trails might be triggering a shift in wildlife communities and a loss in natural biological diversity in aspen ecosystems. 3. A field protocol and Methodology will be developed for land managers to assess trail impacts and to facilitate timely management response. 4. A progress report will be provided in September outlining the progress of the field research