Carex bigelowii 



Leersia oryzoides 



Mosses 



Lichens 



\ 



200 



500 



200 



500 



"T" 



200 



500 



200 



500 



Lycopodium lucidulum 



Aster acuminatus 



Dryopteris spinulosa 



Maianthemum canadensis 



500 



200 



500 



200 



500 



200 



500 



Oxalis montana 



Rubus pubescens 



200 



500 



Viola pallens 



200 500 



Number of Passes 



200 



Figure 24 — Relative cover after trampling and after 1 year of recovery for abundant species 

 in four vegetation types in New Hampshire's White Mountains. 



A plot of response to light and heavy trampling 

 (fig. 25) shov^rs a distribution similar to that of other 

 study areas. The broad-leaved herbaceous species, 

 ferns, and Hchens varied only in their ability to resist 

 light trampling; heavy trampling eliminated them. 

 Lycopodium lucidulum, the graminoids, and the 

 mosses all withstood hght trampling, but varied in 

 their ability to v^dthstand heavy trampling. 



The plot of relative cover after the year of recovery 

 (fig. 26) also shows a pattern similar to other areas. 



In the White Mountains, however, fewer species re- 

 covered from heavy trampling within 1 year. Those 

 least capable of tolerating tramphng were the hchens, 

 mosses (those found in the Carex type), Lycopodium 

 lucidulum, and Oxalis montana. The most tolerant 

 species was Rubus pubescens. 



The plot of resistance and tolerance index values 

 illustrates the wdde range of responses to trampling 

 distvu-bance (fig. 27). At one extreme was the stolon- 

 iferous (spreading by horizontal stems) graminoid. 



34 



