Register      Login
Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Sustained impacts of a hiking trail on changing Windswept Feldmark vegetation in the Australian Alps

Mark Ballantyne A C , Catherine M. Pickering A , Keith L. McDougall B and Genevieve T. Wright B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Environmental Futures Centre, School of Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4222, Australia.

B Office of Environment and Heritage, PO Box 773, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: m.ballantyne@griffith.edu.au

Australian Journal of Botany 62(4) 263-275 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT14114
Submitted: 21 May 2014  Accepted: 2 June 2014   Published: 20 August 2014

Abstract

Damage to vegetation from tourism and recreation includes the impacts of hiking trails, which may favour trampling-tolerant plants over those that are more sensitive to this type of disturbance. To assess how continued use of a hiking trail coupled with changes in local climate affect a rare Australian alpine plant community, we compared plant composition at different distances from a trail in 2013 during wetter conditions with that 10 years prior during a drought in 2003. In both years, only a few trampling-tolerant graminoids and cushion plants were found on the trail surface, which runs along the ridgeline. Species richness and cover in both surveys generally increased with distance from the trail, but there were differences between the windward and leeward sides of the trail. This included increased abundance of some species but continued disruption of shrub succession on the leeward side of the trail. There was an overall increase in species richness between the two surveys, and changes in the abundance of many species independent of trampling effects, possibly reflecting the more favourable/wetter conditions for plant growth in 2013. These results suggest that changes in climatic conditions can affect community composition, but that this has not negated the impact of the hiking trail on this rare community. With average temperatures increasing, and snow cover declining in the Australian Alps, it is likely that there will be even more changes in the Windswept Feldmark, including the potential colonisation of these ridges by more competitive species, such as graminoids, at the expense of the dominant shrub and some herbs that are already adversely affected by trampling. Longer term monitoring of this rare community is imperative to better understand community processes in relation to the impacts of trail use and climate change. Management options to reduce these impacts are discussed.

Additional keywords: climate change, shrubs, threatened communities, tourism impacts.


References

Atik M, Sayan S, Karagüzel O (2009) Impact of recreational trampling on the natural vegetation in Termessos National Park, Antalya, Turkey. Tarim Bilimleri Dergisi 15, 249–258.

Australian Government (2013) ‘Climate data online.’ (Bureau of Meteorology: Canberra) Available at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/?ref=ftr [Verified 15 May 2014]

Barrow MD, Costin AB, Lake P (1968) Cyclical changes in an Australian feldmark community. Journal of Ecology 56, 89–96.
Cyclical changes in an Australian feldmark community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bayfield NG (1979) Recovery of four montane heath communities on Cairngorm, Scotland from disturbance by trampling. Biological Conservation 15, 165–179.
Recovery of four montane heath communities on Cairngorm, Scotland from disturbance by trampling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bernhardt-Römermann M, Gray A, Vanbergen AJ, Bergés L, Bohner A, Brooker RW, De Bruyn L, De Cinti B, Dirnböck T, Grandin U, Hester AJ, Kanka R, Klotz S, Loucougaray G, Lundin L, Matteucci G, Mészáros I, Oláh V, Preda E, Prévosto B, Pykälä J, Schmidt W, Taylor ME, Vadineanu A, Waldmann T, Stadler J (2011) Functional traits and local environment predict vegetation responses to disturbance: a pan-European multi-site experiment. Journal of Ecology 99, 777–787.
Functional traits and local environment predict vegetation responses to disturbance: a pan-European multi-site experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bishop CL, Wardell-Johnson GW, Williams MR (2010) Community-level changes in Banksia woodland following plant pathogen invasion in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region. Journal of Vegetation Science 21, 888–898.
Community-level changes in Banksia woodland following plant pathogen invasion in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Buckley R (2009) ‘Ecotourism: principles and practises.’ (CABI Publishing: Wallingford, UK)

Burns BR, Ward J, Downs TM (2013) Trampling impacts on thermotolerant vegetation of geothermal areas in New Zealand. Environmental Management 52, 1463–1473.
Trampling impacts on thermotolerant vegetation of geothermal areas in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24136681PubMed |

Callaway RM (1995) Positive interactions among plants. Botanical Review 61, 306–349.
Positive interactions among plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chen IC, Hill JK, Ohlemüller R, Roy DB, Thomas CD (2011) Rapid range shifts of species associated with high levels of climate warming. Science 333, 1024–1026.
Rapid range shifts of species associated with high levels of climate warming.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtVWrtr7E&md5=633b6fecda33c66c97398b03930fc368CAS | 21852500PubMed |

Clarke KR (1993) Non-parametric multivariate analyses of change in community structure. Australian Journal of Ecology 18, 117–143.
Non-parametric multivariate analyses of change in community structure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cole DN (2004) Impacts of hiking and camping on soils and vegetation: a review. In ‘Environmental impacts of ecotourism’. (Ed. R Buckley) pp. 41–61. (CABI Publishing: Wallingford, UK)

Cole DN, Bayfield NG (1993) Recreational trampling of vegetation: standard experimental procedures. Biological Conservation 63, 209–215.

Cole DN, Spildie DR (1998) Hiker, horse and llama trampling effects on native vegetation in Montana, USA. Journal of Environmental Management 53, 61–71.
Hiker, horse and llama trampling effects on native vegetation in Montana, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Costin A, Gray M, Totterdell C, Wimbush D (1979) ‘Kosciuszko alpine flora.’ 1st edn. (CSIRO Publishing: Canberra)

Costin AB, Gray M, Totterdell C, Wimbush D (2000) ‘Kosciuszko alpine flora.’ 2nd edn. (CSIRO Publishing: Canberra)

Dale D, Weaver T (1974) Trampling effects on vegetation of the trail corridors of North Rocky Mountain forests. Journal of Applied Ecology 11, 767–772.
Trampling effects on vegetation of the trail corridors of North Rocky Mountain forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Edmonds T, Lunt ID, Roshier DA, Louis J (2006) Annual variation in the distribution of summer snowdrifts in the Kosciuszko alpine area, Australia, and its effect on the composition and structure of alpine vegetation. Austral Ecology 31, 837–848.
Annual variation in the distribution of summer snowdrifts in the Kosciuszko alpine area, Australia, and its effect on the composition and structure of alpine vegetation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Edwards IJ (1977) The ecological impact of pedestrian traffic on alpine vegetation in Kosciuszko National Park. Australian Forestry 40, 108–120.
The ecological impact of pedestrian traffic on alpine vegetation in Kosciuszko National Park.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Farrell TA, Marion JL (2001) Identifying and assessing ecotourism visitor impacts at eight protected areas in Costa Rica and Belize. Environmental Conservation 28, 215–225.
Identifying and assessing ecotourism visitor impacts at eight protected areas in Costa Rica and Belize.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Farrell TA, Marion JL (2002) Trail impacts and trail impact management related to ecotourism visitation at Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Leisure/Loisir 26, 31–59.

Green K (2010) Alpine taxa exhibit differing responses to climate warming in the Snowy Mountains of Australia. Journal of Mountain Science 7, 167–175.
Alpine taxa exhibit differing responses to climate warming in the Snowy Mountains of Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Green K, Pickering CM (2009) The decline of snowpatches in the Snowy Mountains of Australia: importance of climate warming, variable snow and wind. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 41, 212–218.
The decline of snowpatches in the Snowy Mountains of Australia: importance of climate warming, variable snow and wind.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Greenwood PE, Nikulin S (1996) ‘A guide to chi-squared testing.’ (Wiley and Sons Publishing: New York)

Gremmen NJM, Smith VR, Van Tongeren OFR (2003) Impact of trampling on the vegetation of subantarctic Marion Island. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 35, 442–446.
Impact of trampling on the vegetation of subantarctic Marion Island.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Growcock AJW (2006) Impacts of camping and trampling on Australian alpine and subalpine vegetation and soils. PhD Thesis, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld..

Grunewald R (2006) Assessment of damages from recreational activities on coastal dunes of the southern Baltic Sea. Journal of Coastal Research 22, 1145–1157.
Assessment of damages from recreational activities on coastal dunes of the southern Baltic Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hartley AE, Neill C, Melillo JM, Crabtree R, Bowles FP (1999) Plant performance and soil nitrogen mineralisation in response to simulated climate change in subarctic dwarf shrub heath. Oikos 86, 331–343.
Plant performance and soil nitrogen mineralisation in response to simulated climate change in subarctic dwarf shrub heath.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hemp A (2008) Introduced plants on Kilimanjaro: tourism and its impact. Plant Ecology 197, 17–29.
Introduced plants on Kilimanjaro: tourism and its impact.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hennessy KJ, Whetton PH, Walsh K (2008) Climate change effects on snow conditions in mainland Australia and adaptation at ski resorts through snow making. Climate Research 35, 255–270.
Climate change effects on snow conditions in mainland Australia and adaptation at ski resorts through snow making.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hill W, Pickering CM (2006) Vegetation associated with different walking track types in the Kosciuszko alpine area, Australia. Journal of Environmental Management 78, 24–34.
Vegetation associated with different walking track types in the Kosciuszko alpine area, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16099588PubMed |

Hill W, Pickering CM (2009) Differences in resistance of three sub-tropical vegetation types to experimental trampling. Journal of Environmental Management 90, 1305–1312.
Differences in resistance of three sub-tropical vegetation types to experimental trampling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jägerbrand AK, Alatalo JM, Chrimes D, Molau U (2009) Plant community responses to 5 years of simulated climate change in meadow and heath ecosystems at a subarctic-alpine site. Oecologia 161, 601–610.
Plant community responses to 5 years of simulated climate change in meadow and heath ecosystems at a subarctic-alpine site.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19554352PubMed |

Kerbiriou C, Leviol I, Jiguet F, Julliard R (2008) The impact of human frequentation on coastal vegetation in a biosphere reserve. Journal of Environmental Management 88, 715–728.
The impact of human frequentation on coastal vegetation in a biosphere reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17499420PubMed |

Kim MK, Daigle JJ (2011) Detecting vegetation cover change on the summit of Cadillac Mountain using multi-temporal remote sensing datasets: 1979, 2001 and 2007. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 180, 63–75.
Detecting vegetation cover change on the summit of Cadillac Mountain using multi-temporal remote sensing datasets: 1979, 2001 and 2007.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXpvVeru7o%3D&md5=75721e1e6c6af83c31a1bc8f03ff7b60CAS | 21082342PubMed |

Kim MK, Daigle JJ (2012) Monitoring of vegetation impact due to trampling on Cadillac Mountain summit using high spatial resolution remote sensing data sets. Environmental Management 50, 956–968.
Monitoring of vegetation impact due to trampling on Cadillac Mountain summit using high spatial resolution remote sensing data sets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22930327PubMed |

Kissling M, Hegetschweiler KT, Rusterholz HP, Baur B (2009) Short-term and long-term effects of human trampling on above-ground vegetation, soil density, soil organic matter and soil microbial processes in suburban beech forests. Applied Soil Ecology 42, 303–314.
Short-term and long-term effects of human trampling on above-ground vegetation, soil density, soil organic matter and soil microbial processes in suburban beech forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kutiel P, Zhevelev H, Harrison R (1999) The effect of recreational impacts on soil and vegetation of stabilised Coastal Dunes in the Sharon Park, Israel. Ocean and Coastal Management 42, 1041–1060.
The effect of recreational impacts on soil and vegetation of stabilised Coastal Dunes in the Sharon Park, Israel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lambert D (1992) Zero-inflated Poisson regression, with an application to defects in manufacturing. Technometrics 34, 1–14.
Zero-inflated Poisson regression, with an application to defects in manufacturing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Leung YF, Marion JL (1999) Assessing trail conditions in protected areas: application of a problem-assessment method in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. Environmental Conservation 26, 270–279.
Assessing trail conditions in protected areas: application of a problem-assessment method in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Liddle MJ (1975) A selective review of the ecological effects of human trampling on natural ecosystems. Biological Conservation 7, 17–36.
A selective review of the ecological effects of human trampling on natural ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Liddle MJ (1991) Recreation ecology: effects of trampling on plants and corals. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 6, 13–17.
Recreation ecology: effects of trampling on plants and corals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3M7hsVaqug%3D%3D&md5=b90cb211384f2fd8a4aba5beece4daa3CAS |

Liddle MJ (1997) ‘Recreation ecology.’ (Chapman and Hall Publishing: London)

Lucas-Borja ME, Bastida F, Moreno JL, Nicolás C, Andres M, López FR, Del Cerro A (2011) The effects of human trampling on the microbiological properties of soil and vegetation in Mediterranean mountain areas. Land Degradation and Development 22, 383–394.
The effects of human trampling on the microbiological properties of soil and vegetation in Mediterranean mountain areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lynch AJJ, Kirkpatrick JB (1995) Pattern and process in alpine vegetation and landforms at Hill One, Southern Range, Tasmania. Australian Journal of Botany 43, 537–554.
Pattern and process in alpine vegetation and landforms at Hill One, Southern Range, Tasmania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Malmivaara-Lämsä M, Hamberg L, Haapamäki E, Liski J, Kotze DJ, Lehvävirta S, Frtize H (2008) Edge effects and trampling in boreal urban forest fragments – impacts on the soil microbial community. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40, 1612–1621.
Edge effects and trampling in boreal urban forest fragments – impacts on the soil microbial community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Marzano M, Dandy N (2012) Recreationist behaviour in forests and the disturbance to wildlife. Biodiversity and Conservation 21, 2967–2986.
Recreationist behaviour in forests and the disturbance to wildlife.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McDougall KL, Walsh NG (2007) Treeless vegetation of the Australian Alps. Cunninghamia 10, 1–57.

McDougall KL, Wright GT (2004) The impact of trampling on feldmark vegetation in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales. Australian Journal of Botany 52, 315–320.
The impact of trampling on feldmark vegetation in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mende P, Newsome D (2006) The assessment, monitoring and management of hiking trails: a case study from the Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia. Conservation Science Western Australia 5, 285–295.

Monz CA, Cole DN, Leung YF, Marion JL (2010) Sustaining visitor use in protected areas: future opportunities in recreation ecology research based on the USA experience. Environmental Management 45, 551–562.
Sustaining visitor use in protected areas: future opportunities in recreation ecology research based on the USA experience.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20091043PubMed |

Monz CA, Pickering CM, Hadwen WL (2013) Recent advances in recreation ecology and the implications of different relationships between recreation use and ecological impacts. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 11, 441–446.
Recent advances in recreation ecology and the implications of different relationships between recreation use and ecological impacts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moro MJ, Pugnaire FI, Haase P, Puigdefábregas J (1997) Mechanisms of interaction between a leguminous shrub and its understorey in a semi-arid environment. Ecography 20, 175–184.
Mechanisms of interaction between a leguminous shrub and its understorey in a semi-arid environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Morrison C, Pickering CM (2012a) Limits to climate change adaptation: case study of the Australian Alps. Geographical Research 51, 11–25.
Limits to climate change adaptation: case study of the Australian Alps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Morrison C, Pickering CM (2012b) Perceptions of the ski tourism industry and others to impacts, adaptation and limits to adaption to climate change in the Australian Alps. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 21, 173–191.
Perceptions of the ski tourism industry and others to impacts, adaptation and limits to adaption to climate change in the Australian Alps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Newsome D, Moore SA, Dowling RK (2013) ‘Natural area tourism: ecology, impacts and management.’ 2nd edn. (Channel View Publications: Bristol, UK)

Nicholls N (2005) Climate variability, climate change and the Australian snow season. Australian Meteorological Magazine 54, 177–185.

Olive ND, Marion JL (2009) The influence of use-related, environmental and managerial factors on soil loss from recreational trails. Journal of Environmental Management 90, 1483–1493.
The influence of use-related, environmental and managerial factors on soil loss from recreational trails.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19062152PubMed |

Pauli H, Gottfried M, Grabherr G (2003) ‘The Piz Linard (3,411m), the Grisons, Switzerland – Europe’s oldest mountain vegetation study site.’ (Springer: Berlin)

Pauli H, Gottfried M, Dullinger S, Abdaladze O, Akhalkatsi M, Benito Alonso JL, Coldea G, Dick J, Erschbamer B, Fernández Calzado R, Ghosn D, Holten JI, Kanka R, Kazakis G, Kollár J, Larsson P, Moiseev P, Moiseev D, Molau U, Molero Mesa J, Nagy L, Pelino G, Puşcaş M, Rossi G, Stanisci A, Syverhuset AO, Theurillat JP, Tomaselli M, Unterluggauer Villar L, Vittoz P, Grabherr G (2012) Recent plant diversity changes on Europe’s mountain summits. Science 336, 353–355.
Recent plant diversity changes on Europe’s mountain summits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XlslOqtbk%3D&md5=3178188cbfa892933ab57c62dbe648f5CAS | 22517860PubMed |

Phillips N, Newsome D (2002) Understanding the impacts of recreation in Australia protected areas: quantifying damage caused by horse riding in D’Entrecasteaux National Park, Western Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology 7, 256–273.

Pickering CM, Buckley RC (2003) Swarming to the summit: managing tourists at Mt Kosciuszko, Australia. Mountain Research and Development 23, 230–233.
Swarming to the summit: managing tourists at Mt Kosciuszko, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pickering CM, Green K (2009) Vascular plant distribution in relation to topography, soils and micro-climate at five GLORIA sites in the Snowy Mountains, Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 57, 189–199.
Vascular plant distribution in relation to topography, soils and micro-climate at five GLORIA sites in the Snowy Mountains, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pickering CM, Growcock AJ (2009) Impacts of experimental trampling on tall alpine herbfields and subalpine grasslands in the Australian Alps. Journal of Environmental Management 91, 532–540.
Impacts of experimental trampling on tall alpine herbfields and subalpine grasslands in the Australian Alps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19854561PubMed |

Pickering CM, Hill W (2007) Impacts of recreation and tourism on plant biodiversity and vegetation in protected areas in Australia. Journal of Environmental Management 85, 791–800.
Impacts of recreation and tourism on plant biodiversity and vegetation in protected areas in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17234325PubMed |

Pickering CM, Venn SE (2013) ‘Increasing the resilience of the Australian flora to climate change and associated threats: a plant functional traits approach.’ (National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility Publishing: Gold Coast, Qld)

Pickering CM, Johnston S, Green K, Enders G (2003) Impacts of nature tourism on the Mount Kosciuszko alpine area, Australia. In ‘Nature-based tourism: environment and land management’. (Eds R Buckley, CM Pickering, DB Weaver) pp. 123–135. (CABI Publishing: Wallingford, UK)

Pickering CM, Hill W, Green K (2008) Vascular plant diversity and climate change in the alpine zone of the Snowy Mountains, Australia. Biodiversity and Conservation 17, 1627–1644.
Vascular plant diversity and climate change in the alpine zone of the Snowy Mountains, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pickering CM, Hill W, Newsome D, Leung YF (2010) Comparing hiking, mountain biking and horse riding impacts vegetation and soils in Australia and the United States of America. Journal of Environmental Management 91, 551–562.
Comparing hiking, mountain biking and horse riding impacts vegetation and soils in Australia and the United States of America.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19864052PubMed |

PlantNET (2013) The New South Wales flora online – a comprehensive botanical treatment in an electronic format. (PlantNET). Available at http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/floraonline.htm. [Verified 21 May 2014]

Queiroz RE, Ventura MA, Silva L (2014) Plant diversity in hiking trails crossing Natura 2000 area in the Azores: implications for tourism and nature conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation 23, 1347–1365.
Plant diversity in hiking trails crossing Natura 2000 area in the Azores: implications for tourism and nature conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

R Core Development Team (2013) ‘The R Project for statistical computing – version i386 3.0.1.’ (The R Project). Available at http://www.r-project.org. [Verified 15 May 2014]

Rickard CA, McLachlan A, Kerley GIH (1994) The effects of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on dune vegetation in South Africa. Ocean and Coastal Management 23, 225–247.
The effects of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on dune vegetation in South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ridout M, Hinde J, Demétrio CGB (2001) A score test for testing zero-inflated Poisson regression model against zero-inflated negative binomial alternatives. Biometrics 57, 219–223.
A score test for testing zero-inflated Poisson regression model against zero-inflated negative binomial alternatives.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MzmvVejuw%3D%3D&md5=0a9c987b9e8366b112cae52255c39f1fCAS | 11252601PubMed |

Scherrer P, Pickering CM (2006) Recovery of alpine herbfield on a closed walking trail in the Kosciuszko alpine zone, Australia. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 38, 239–248.
Recovery of alpine herbfield on a closed walking trail in the Kosciuszko alpine zone, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Scott JJ, Kirkpatrick JB (1994) Effects of human trampling on the sub-Antarctic vegetation of Macquarie Island. The Polar Record 30, 207–220.
Effects of human trampling on the sub-Antarctic vegetation of Macquarie Island.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Soulé ME, Alberts AC, Bolger DT (1992) The effects of habitat fragmentation on chaparral plants and vertebrates. Oikos 63, 39–47.
The effects of habitat fragmentation on chaparral plants and vertebrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Specht RL, Moll EJ (1983) ‘Mediterranean-type heathlands and sclerophyllous shrublands of the world: an overview.’ (Springer: Berlin)

Sun D, Liddle MJ (1993) A survey of trampling effects on vegetation and soil in eight tropical and sub-tropical sites. Environmental Management 17, 497–510.
A survey of trampling effects on vegetation and soil in eight tropical and sub-tropical sites.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Underwood AJ (2002) Analysis of variance. In ‘Experiments in ecology’. pp. 140–197. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK)

Venn S, Pickering CM, Green K (2012) Short-term variation in species richness across an altitudinal gradient of alpine summits. Biodiversity and Conservation 21, 3157–3186.
Short-term variation in species richness across an altitudinal gradient of alpine summits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wahren CH, Camac JS, Jarrad FC, Williams RJ, Papst WA, Hoffmann AA (2013) Experimental warming and long-term vegetation dynamics in an alpine heathland. Australian Journal of Botany 61, 36–51.
Experimental warming and long-term vegetation dynamics in an alpine heathland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Whinam J, Chilcott NM (2003) Impacts after four years of experimental trampling on alpine/sub-alpine environments in western Tasmania. Journal of Environmental Management 67, 339–351.
Impacts after four years of experimental trampling on alpine/sub-alpine environments in western Tasmania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12710922PubMed |

Willard BE, Marr JW (1970) Effects of human activities on alpine tundra ecosystems in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Biological Conservation 2, 257–265.
Effects of human activities on alpine tundra ecosystems in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Willard BE, Marr JW (1971) Recovery of alpine tundra under protection after damage by human activities in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Biological Conservation 3, 181–190.
Recovery of alpine tundra under protection after damage by human activities in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Williams RJ, Wahren CH, Bradstock RA, Müller WJ (2006) Does alpine grazing reduce blazing? A landscape test of a widely held hypothesis. Austral Ecology 31, 925–936.
Does alpine grazing reduce blazing? A landscape test of a widely held hypothesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Williams RJ, Wahren CH, Tolsma AD, Sanecki GM, Papst WA, Myers BA, McDougall KL, Heinze DA, Green K (2008) Large fires in Australian alpine landscapes: their part in the historical fire regime and their impacts on alpine biodiversity. International Journal of Wildland Fire 17, 793–808.
Large fires in Australian alpine landscapes: their part in the historical fire regime and their impacts on alpine biodiversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wimpey J, Marion JL (2011) A spatial exploration of informal trail networks within Great Falls Park, VA. Journal of Environmental Management 92, 1012–1022.
A spatial exploration of informal trail networks within Great Falls Park, VA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21129844PubMed |

Worboys GL (2003) A brief report on the 2003 Australian Alps bushfires. Mountain Research and Development 23, 294–295.
A brief report on the 2003 Australian Alps bushfires.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zeileis A, Kleiber C, Jackman S (2008) Regression models for count data in R. Journal of Statistical Software 27, 1–25.

Zuur AF, Ieno EN, Walker NJ, Saveliev AA, Smith GM (2009) Zero-truncated and zero-inflated models for count data. In ‘Mixed effects models and extensions in ecology with R’. (Eds M Gail, K Krickeberg, JM Samet, A Tsiatis, W Wong) pp. 261–294. (Springer Science Publishing: New York)