Changes to vegetation along the Upper Loop Trail at Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park

Bryden, Wendy

Summary: We measured impacts to vegetation along transects on the Upper Loop Trail near Exit Glacier in the summer of 2001. These transects were established in 1987 and provide long term data on changes in moss and lichen percent cover near the glacier as a result of human trampling (Tetreau 1988). The number of stems of vascular plants was also recorded. INTRODUCTION Since 1987 data has been collected on one control transect and two impact transects located along the Upper Loop Trail at Exit Glacier. The impact transects were established in areas near the trail that would be seemingly inviting to visitors (short cuts and viewpoints). The control transect was established in an isolated area nearby which receives little or no use. All three transects are located along the Exit Glacier moraine in an area deglaciated approximately 20 years ago. The soil is mostly bedrock and gravel with sparse vegetation including lichens, mosses, Alnus ssp., Epilobium ssp., Pyrola ssp., Populus ssp., and Salix ssp. Plots along the transects are used to measure percent cover of moss, lichen and other pioneer vegetation. Loss of vegetative cover indicates impacts to vegetation caused by people walking off the trail. This work will be used as a basis for developing other methods for measuring human impacts to vegetation and succession along the Upper Loop Trail.