Problem Assessment and Vegetative Rehabilitation of View Points and Campgrounds at Bryce Canyon National Park
Call CA, Barker JR, McKell CM. 1980. Problem Assessment and Vegetative Rehabilitation of View Points and Campgrounds at Bryce Canyon National Park. College of Natural Resources/Utah State University. Logan, UT
Bryce Canyon National Park , like many other national parks in the United States, is showing the effects of increased visitor use. Because of the configuration of the park which places roads in close proximity of the configuration to the unique geological features, visitor activity is concentrated at the scenic overlooks on the rim of Bryce Canyon. Intensive use of scenic view areas (Figure 1) and campground facilities (Figure 2) results in soil compaction and vegetation damage which accelerate soil erosion and decrease aesthetic quality. The effects of visitor use on soils and vegetation in recreational areas have been described in previous studies (12,15,23,28,33,34). LaPage (21) suggested that the constant repetitious use of an area constitutes an additional environmental impact supplementary to the effects of factors such as climate and topography. This additional environmental impact may be amplified in recreational areas in relatively dry regions of the West. Peak visitor numbers during the dry summer months can result in rapid deterioration of relatively slow growing ground cover vegetation (2). At Bryce Canyon National Park visitor use impact has accelerated the erosional process at scenic viewpoints (Figures 3 & 4) and campgrounds, and in some instances has increased canyon rim recession (8).
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Call, C; Barker, J; McKell, C
- Date of Issue
- 1980
- Publisher
- College of Natural Resources/Utah State University
- Units
- BRCA
- Keywords
- Erosion, Erosion-Sedimentation, Human Impacts, Management, Natural Resources, Physical Sciences, Plant Studies, Recreation, Recreation/Aesthetics, Resource Management, Vegetation, Visitor Impacts, Visitor Use