Cole, David N. Recreational trampling effects on six habitat types in western 

 Montana. Research Paper INT-350. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

 Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station; 1985. 43 p. 



This study examined the response of six vegetation types in western Montana 

 to experimental trampling. All of the forest types showed a curvilinear relation- 

 ship between amount of trampling and loss of vegetation cover, loss of plant 

 species, and soil compaction. A grassland was more resistant to vegetation 

 loss. These results can be used to evaluate the likely effects of different use 

 levels on campsites and to identify the most durable locations for campsites. 



KEYWORDS: ecological impact, trampling, wilderness, backcountry manage- 

 ment, habitat types 



