Measurements of environmental damage to soils caused by foot trampling

At three sites (1 at Scott Base and 2 near Vanda Station) investigations were carried out to determine the susceptibility of the ground surface to damage from foot traffic (soil trafficability). At a previously undisturbed location at each site, estimates of surface stone cover were made for each meter over a marked 20 m strip of ground. After 20, 50 and 200 passes across the same ground, the surface was again examined and the disturbance of surface stones, the presence and depth of footprints, the proportion of ground disturbed and width of track disturbance was assessed. The tracks were observed after one year.