Maddy Brumberg, Kelly Donovan, Duncan Pogue
The Effect of Recreation on the Lake Champlain Basin
Goal
Determine and quantify impacts of recreation on soil, vegetation, wildlife, and water quality within the Lake Champlain Basin.
Why recreation is important “The Lake Champlain
Basin's rich recreation and cultural resources provide innumerable benefits to those who live within and visit the Basin.” -Lake Champlain Basin Program
$3.8 billion annual revenue Growing popularity of LCB LCBP wants to increase
ecotourism opportunities
LCB recreational activities Motorboating, camping, swimming, wildlife
watching, scuba diving, cross country skiing, fishing, biking, extreme water sports, off road vehicles, snowmobiling, picnicking water fun, skydiving, horseback riding, ice fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, extreme sports, golfing, frisbee, canoeing, sailing, kite boarding, wind surfing, cowtipping, hunting …
Soil Compaction Loss of litter and humus
layers Increase of soil density Decrease infiltration/soil
moisture Change is soil structure
and stability Increased runoff and
erosion Biology and chemistry
alterations
Impacts on Vegetation High initial mortality
rates Decrease in
reproductive capacity Soil compaction
inhibits root penetration
Mechanical damage Alteration of species
composition
Impacts on Wildlife Habitat modification Population dynamics Species Composition Animal disturbance
and harassment Alterations of
behavior Species displacement
Impacts on Aquatic Environments
Motor-Boating Pollution
Engines Paints
Habitat Disruption Physical Impacts on Vegetation
Invasives Transport Shallow Water Plants
Fishing-
Fishing Derbies
STRESSOR(RECREATION)
Aquatic-Non- motor boating-Motor-boating-Swimming-Scuba Diving-Fishing-X-treme sports
Riparian-Swimming-Fishing-Lake access areas-Camping-Biking (bike path)-Hiking (trails)-Park activities-Horseback Riding
Terrestrial-Hiking/climbing-Skiing/Boarding-Snow shoeing/X-country skiing-Off-road vehicles/snowmobiling-Biking-X-treme sports-Park activities-Horsebackriding
HABITATS
Developed
Forest
Herbaceous
Agriculture
Wetlands
Open Water
LC <6’
LC >6’
Ponds/Lakes
Rivers/Streams
Agriculture
Urban
Water Treatment Plants
Barriers
Roads
Hatcheries
Marinas
Forested Areas
SOURCES
Industrial
Parks
External
Recreation to Habitats Link/Importance
Open Water Ponds/Lakes Rivers/Streams
Shallow Deep
Aquatic 1 1 1 .5 1 1 1 .5
Riparian 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 .5
Terrestrial 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Overall 1 1 1 .5 1 1 1 .5
Developed Forest Herbacious Wetlands 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01 0 1 .5 1 1 1 .51 0 1 1 1 1 1 .5
1 0 1 1 1 1 1 .5
AquaticRiparianTerrestrial
Overall
Recommendations Recreational Management in LCB
Base on recreational carrying capacity Incorporate site selection, zoning and design Citizen outreach and education
Class Suggestions Change recreation as a stressor
Select major recreational activities to focus category
Questions?