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Optimized Horse Trail Design for Illinois Soil

This study examines an innovative approach to trail design aimed at minimizing erosion and maximizing the sustainability of equestrian recreation in Southern Illinois. Conducted by Christopher Jones, a master's student in Forestry at Southern Illinois University, the research highlights the relationship between trail design elements—such as slope alignment, canopy cover, and substrate amendment—and their impact on soil erosion. The study seeks to provide a framework for building trails that promote equestrian activities while protecting natural resources in USFS lands, ultimately contributing to local economies.

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Optimized Horse Trail Design for Illinois Soil

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  1. Optimized Horse Trail Design for Illinois Soil Christopher Jones Master’s Student in Forestry Southern Illinois University

  2. Equestrian Recreation • Projected Growth • Top five activity, growing on USFS lands (Cordell, 2012) • Economic Benefits • Contributes positively to local economies • Up to 6x indirect expenditures

  3. Impact and Erosion • Use ? degradation (e.g., Deluca et al., 1998; Wilson, et al., 1994; Olive et al., 2009) • Even lowest amounts of use (Cole, 2004; Liddle, 1997) • Erosion can influence user behavior (Marion and Leung, 2004) Use-impact relationship from Cole (2004).

  4. Erosion at Work

  5. Equestrian Erosion • Soil compaction, increased trail width and depth, and reduced surface litter (Whittaker,1978) • Urine and feces • Nitrogen, phosphorous, and heavy metals (Edwards et al.,1999) • Water pollution • Direct/indirect conflicts • Shawnee National Forest

  6. Landscape Features • The problems associated with recreation impact are more likely the result of poor planning and location (Cole, 1987; Leung & Marion, 2000) • Trail position, trail slope alignment angle (TSA), grade, water drainage, and type of use (Summer, 1980; Kuss, 1983; Olive & Marion, 2009) • Slope one of the most influential (Bratton et al., 1979; Wilson & Seney, 1994)

  7. Negating Impact Through Design • Considerations taken during the planning process should be able to prevent most impacts (Marion et al., 2004) • Controlling water flow by utilizing the landscape (Birchard, et al., 2000; Hesselbarth et al., 1996) • Hardening the surface in poorly drained soils (Meyer, 2002) • Experimental research about trail design is limited • Few studies focus on the effectiveness of actions taken to mitigate recreation impact (Leung et al., 2000; Cole, 2004b)

  8. Justification • Empirically test for the effects of trail design, proximal landscape attributes, and routing characteristics on equestrian trail soil transport. • Overcome limitation of observational studies • Design and maintain trails at lower cost, improved safety, and higher ecological resilience

  9. Hypothesis • Erosion rates on equestrian trails will be significantly reduced if five factors are taken into consideration during the trail design: • Trail-slope alignment • Canopy cover • Landform position • Substrate amendment • Benching

  10. Experimental Variables

  11. Location • New trail system on University Farms • Built near SIUC’s equine facilities

  12. Trail Design • Plot areas based on available 4-foot contour maps • GPS-based ground verification • Produce route that crosses a variety of landscapes • One-mile long • Five-meter segments for analysis

  13. Construction • Initial ground truthing • Thirteen-foot corridor, twelve-foot overhead clearance • Plant and stump removal • Substrate amendment Standard dimensions for an equestrian trail (Hancock et al., 2007, p. 39).

  14. Baseline Data Collection • Trail divided into five meter segments • Design Variable Values • Use of Trimble GPS, Suunto survey equipment • Establish fixed reference points for each trail section • Provides baseline for future data collection

  15. Measurement of cross-sectional area soil erosion. Adapted by Park (2009) from Marion (1994).

  16. Data Collection • Monthly • Rain events: precipitation > 2.54 cm / 24 hours • Unsafe conditions (fallen trees, etc) monitored for and removed

  17. Analysis and Reporting • Statistical regression analyses run via SPSS • MANOVA and post hoc tests

  18. STATUS • Finishing construction phase • Addition of electric conductivity (EC) meter

  19. Applications • Applications extend far beyond Southern Illinois • Reduce costs of trail repair for forest/park managers • Promote equestrian recreation • Reduce conflicts between horse riders and other recreationists • Additional research possibilities • ROV  UGV  UAV

  20. Acknowledgements • Dr. Logan Park, Dr. Zaczek, Department of Forestry • Dr. Guangxing Wang, Department of Geography • Dr. Sheryl King, Director of Equine Studies • Southern Illinois University • Horsemen’s Council of Illinois

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