Human Impact on beach and Foredune Microclimate on North Padre Island, Texas
McAtee JW and Drawe DL. 1981. Human Impact on beach and Foredune Microclimate on North Padre Island, Texas. Environmental Management. 5(2):121-134
The microclimate of beach and foredune areas 0; North Padre Island along the mid-Texas coast was found to be greatiy modified by vehicular and pedestrian traffic during investigations made from late fall to early summer 197~74, Th!c primary effect of human activity on microclimate was expressec as reduced cover and species diversity of the vegetation. As the intensity of human activity increased. elevation, especially of areas near the beach, was decreased. whereas average wind velocities near the ground surface, evaporation, atmospheric salinity near the ground surface, wind-carried sand particles near the ground surface. soil salinity. soil pH, average soil temperature and range in temperature. soil bulk density, and soil-water contents were increased.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- McAtee, Jerry; Drawe, D.
- Units
- PAIS
- Keywords
- Atmospheric Salinity, Barrier Island, Evaporation, foredune, Human Impact, Management, Microclimate, North Padre Island, Padre Island National Seashore, PAIS, Salinity, Soil bulk density, soil pH, soil salinity, Soil Temperature, Soil-water Content, Traffic, Vegetation, Weather