Susceptibility of Four Species of Cladonia to Disturbance by Trampling in the Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland

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Abstract
Damage to Cladonia uncialis, C. arbuscula, C. rangiferina and C. impexa resulting from human trampling was recorded in kilometer squares with levels of visitor use from 0 to > 18.8 people day-1. Damage declined with distance from paths and increased with level of use. There was generally little damage 50 m from paths, except on the most heavily used sites. Damage was more extensive at sites which were open in character than at those where use was confined. All 4 spp. changed from a pliable to a brittle state at water contents below 25%. There is probably widespread slight damage on the open plateau areas of the Cairngorms receiving moderate to heavy visitor use, and more serious disturbance of lichens adjacent to paths.

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