Effect of trampling on the soils of the St. James Walkway, Lewis Pass

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to survey the soils of the St. James Walkway and to quantify the effects of trampling on these soils. A factorial design analysed the variation in trampling damage with soil region and topography. Six soil regions were determined using a soil map. These included podzolised high country yellow-brown earths (YBEs), high country YBEs, recent soils and organic soils. Four topographically different sites per region were examined. Trampled and adjacent untrampled soils were compared. Variates measured in the field included bulk density, soil strength, infiltration rate and other soil and site characteristics. Topsoil and subsoil samples were analysed in the laboratory measuring the upper and lower plastic limits, aggregate stability, organic and clay content of the soil and routine chemical tests.