Effects of trampling on rocky intertidal communities

This data is from an experiment that was designed to assess the impact of trampling on Hormosira mats, Xenostrobus beds and in areas of 'bare-rock' where Siphonaria diemenensis are the numerically dominant gastropod species. Experimental plots were walked on a number of times per month to match the seasonal changes in the number of people using the reefs. The experiment started in early February 1990 and sampled approximately every 3 months, after 10, 17, 25, 39 and 45 visits. The variables measured in each strip were the percent cover of Hormosira and other non-turfing algae, number of gastropods per strip, number of Siphonaria and percent cover of Xenostrobus.