OPTIMIZED HORSE TRAIL DESIGN FOR ILLINOIS SOIL

Christopher Jones

Master’s Student in Forestry

Southern Illinois University

EQUESTRIAN RECREATION

Projected Growth Top five activity, growing on USFS lands (Cordell, 2012)

Economic Benefits Contributes positively to local economies Up to 6x indirect expenditures

IMPACT AND EROSION

Use ? degradation (e.g., Deluca et al., 1998; Wilson, et al., 1994; Olive et al., 2009)

Even lowest amounts of use (Cole, 2004; Liddle, 1997)

Erosion can influence user behavior (Marion and Leung, 2004)

Use-impact relationship from Cole (2004).

EROSION AT WORK

EQUESTRIAN EROSION

Soil compaction, increased trail width and depth, and reduced surface litter (Whittaker,1978)

Urine and feces Nitrogen, phosphorous, and

heavy metals (Edwards et al.,1999)

Water pollution

Direct/indirect conflicts Shawnee National Forest

LANDSCAPE FEATURES

The problems associated with recreation impact are more likely the result of poor planning and location (Cole, 1987; Leung & Marion, 2000)

Trail position, trail slope alignment angle (TSA), grade, water drainage, and type of use (Summer, 1980; Kuss, 1983; Olive & Marion, 2009)

Slope one of the most influential (Bratton et al., 1979; Wilson & Seney, 1994)

NEGATING IMPACT THROUGH DESIGN

Considerations taken during the planning process should be able to prevent most impacts (Marion et al., 2004)

Controlling water flow by utilizing the landscape (Birchard, et al., 2000; Hesselbarth et al., 1996)

Hardening the surface in poorly drained soils (Meyer, 2002)

Experimental research about trail design is limited Few studies focus on the effectiveness of actions taken to mitigate

recreation impact (Leung et al., 2000; Cole, 2004b)

JUSTIFICATION

Empirically test for the effects of trail design, proximal landscape attributes, and routing characteristics on equestrian trail soil transport.

Overcome limitation of observational studies

Design and maintain trails at lower cost, improved safety, and higher ecological resilience

HYPOTHESIS

Erosion rates on equestrian trails will be significantly reduced if five factors are taken into consideration during the trail design: Trail-slope alignment Canopy cover Landform position Substrate amendment Benching

EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLESIndependent Variables LevelsTrail slope alignment angle Measured as absolute value of trail compass direction –

landform direction, modulus 90Landform position Ridge, side-slope, valley, direct ascentPercent canopy cover Averaged as 3 measures at 25%, 50%, and 75% distance

along each trail segmentSubstrate amendment

Natural soil, wood chips, gravel, or shade tolerant turf

Benching None, half, or full benching (percent of trail constructed on mineral soil vs. replaced topsoil)

Average segment slope Averaged as 3 clinometer measures at 25%, 50%, and 75% distance along each trail segment

Trail sinuosity Degrees of curvature per unit lineal length of trailSlope and azimuth Landform, trail steepness and directionHorse use Tracked as monthly totals and cumulative totalsDependent Variables LevelsErosion Average of three cross-sectional areas at 25%, 50%, and

75% distance along each trail segmentLateral & transverse rugosity

Lateral: Average of standard deviation for cross-sections’ vertical measures. Transverse: by clinometer

Muddiness Drained, periodically muddy or pervasively muddySoil compaction Measured as soil penetration resistance with handheld

soil penetrometer

LOCATION

New trail system on University Farms

Built near SIUC’s equine facilities

TRAIL DESIGN

Plot areas based on available 4-foot contour maps GPS-based ground verification

Produce route that crosses a variety of landscapes

One-mile long

Five-meter segments for analysis

CONSTRUCTION

Initial ground truthing

Thirteen-foot corridor, twelve-foot overhead clearance

Plant and stump removal

Substrate amendment

Standard dimensions for an equestrian trail (Hancock et al., 2007, p. 39).

BASELINE DATA COLLECTION

Trail divided into five meter segments Design Variable Values Use of Trimble GPS, Suunto

survey equipment

Establish fixed reference points for each trail section Provides baseline for future

data collection

Measurement of cross-sectional area soil erosion. Adapted by Park (2009) from Marion (1994).

DATA COLLECTION

Monthly Rain events:

precipitation > 2.54 cm / 24 hours

Unsafe conditions (fallen trees, etc) monitored for and removed

ANALYSIS AND REPORTING

Statistical regression analyses run via SPSS MANOVA and post hoc tests

STATUS

Finishing construction phase

Addition of electric conductivity (EC) meter

APPLICATIONS

Applications extend far beyond Southern Illinois Reduce costs of trail repair for forest/park managers Promote equestrian recreation

Reduce conflicts between horse riders and other recreationists

Additional research possibilities ROV UGV UAV

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dr. Logan Park, Dr. Zaczek, Department of Forestry

Dr. Guangxing Wang, Department of Geography

Dr. Sheryl King, Director of Equine Studies

Southern Illinois University

Horsemen’s Council of Illinois