Severe vegetation degradation associated with different disturbance types in a poorly managed urban recreation destination in Iran.

ABSTRACT: Recreational activities worldwide have major impacts on the environment. This study examined the impact of different kinds of recreational activities on plant communities in a highly visited park in Mashhad, Iran. Vegetation in the park was sampled along 41 random 10-m transects with different human disturbances (trails, dirt roads, campsites) and undisturbed communities. Life form spectrum, species composition, species and phylogenetic diversity were determined for all communities. Disturbance increased the frequency of therophytes, but decreased the frequency of chamaephytes and percentage vegetated area. Recreational-mediated disturbance had variable impact on species composition, but decreased species and phylogenetic diversity compared with undisturbed areas. Roads and campsites cause

SUBMITTER: Erfanian MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8490473 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature