Impact of trampling on sandy beach macrofauna
Moffett, M.D.; McLachlan, A.; Winter, P.E.D.; De Ruyck, A.M.C. (1998). Impact of trampling on sandy beach macrofauna. J. Coast. Conserv. 4(1): 87-90. dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02806494
In: Journal of Coastal Conservation. Opulus/Springer: Uppsala. ISSN 1400-0350; e-ISSN 1874-7841, more
|  |
| Keywords |
|
| Author keywords |
Bivalve; Eastern Cape; Isopod; Recreation |
| Authors | | Top |
- Moffett, M.D.
- McLachlan, A.
- Winter, P.E.D.
- De Ruyck, A.M.C.
|
|
|
| Abstract |
The effects of varying intensities of human trampling on sandy beach macrofauna were investigated at an exposed beach on the Eastern Cape coast. An experimental approach investigated the survival rates of four macrofaunal species which were subjected to human trampling at different intensities in a holiday-activity simulation. It was found that the clam Donax serra was slightly impacted at all trampling intensities while Donax sordidus and the isopod Eurydice longicornis were affected only at high trampling intensities. Vigorous beach games, such as volleyball, may have a damaging effect on D. serra. In a second experiment, the severe effects of human trampling on D. serra and the benthic mysid Gastrosaccus psammodytes were investigated using numbered animals in enclosures. The results indicated that few members of the macrofauna were damaged at low trampling intensities but substantial damage occurred under intense trampling. |
|
