Journal article
Adverse impacts of off-road vehicles on coastal dune vegetation are widespread, substantial, and long-lasting: Evidence from a global meta-analysis of sandy beach-dune systems
Estuarine, coastal and shelf science, Vol.312, pp.1-14
01/2025
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Abstract
1. Ocean shores are among the most spectacular and sought-after sites for leisure activities, including ‘nature and wilderness experiences’. Some of these activities can involve the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) driven across extensive stretches of sandy coastlines. Yet, this recreation mode can be controversial because of environmental, cultural, social, and ethical concerns. However, ORV users often question the putative impacts, especially the ecological aspects.
2. Here, we review the available published data about the ecological impacts of vehicles on coastal plants. We focus on vegetation because of its critical role in coastal resilience and its foundational role in the structure and function of dune-beach systems. The principal type of evidence is a formal meta-analysis of effect sizes that can be unambiguously linked to ORV use.
3. The evidence of serious ecological harm caused by ORVs to plants of beach-dune habitats is geographically widespread, extensive in taxonomic coverage (253 species, 174 genera, and 64 families), sizeable in the magnitude of reported impacts (443 records) and statistically robust (significant negative departures from zero responses).
4. Vegetation stressed by ORVs typically has substantially reduced abundance, cover, biomass, area, occurrence, diversity, and productivity. ORVs also significantly alter the composition and structure of assemblages.
5. Degradation occurs rapidly, with the first few vehicle passes causing most of the damage. Thresholds of impact can be exceptionally low (one or two cars separated by weeks), implying that in many cases, dunes and the back-shore of beaches have extremely limited resilience to repeat traffic by off-road vehicles: No ‘safe threshold’ of use may exist.
6. Recovery after closure to off-road vehicles is highly variable, depending on species traits (slower for woody shrubs) and habitat conditions (slower for back-dunes). It can be protracted, with some assemblages typically taking around a decade or more to recover.
7. The exceptionally low tolerance of many coastal plant species and habitats translates into policies to phase out ORV use on ocean shores and dunes. Spatial closures and strict controls should be the mainstay of management interventions, supplemented by novel approaches seeking to identify where and when environmentally safe and benign practices may exist and whether these can be culturally and ethically acceptable.
Details
- Title
- Adverse impacts of off-road vehicles on coastal dune vegetation are widespread, substantial, and long-lasting: Evidence from a global meta-analysis of sandy beach-dune systems
- Creators
- Thomas A. Schlacher - University of the Sunshine CoastMichael A. Weston - Deakin UniversityShane Orchard - University of CanterburyBrendan P. Kelaher - Southern Cross UniversityBrooke Maslo - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyJenifer E. Dugan - University of California, Santa BarbaraDavid M. Hubbard - Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, USALeonardo Costa - Universidade Estadual do Norte FluminenseMelanie J. Bishop - School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, AustraliaKristal N. Kostoglu - Deakin UniversityBen L. Gilby - University of the Sunshine CoastChristofer J. Henderson - University of the Sunshine CoastTeresa Amaro - University of Aveiro (UA)Serena Lucrezi - Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaChristian Crosby - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyMichael Elliott - School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UKKyle A. Emery - Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, USAFanini Lucia - University of SalentoPatrick A. Hesp - Flinders UniversityHoward Kirsty - University of the Sunshine CoastGlenn A. Hyndes - Edith Cowan UniversityMariano Lastra - Universidade de VigoAdrian B. Mccallum - University of the Sunshine CoastBhavani E. Narayanaswamy - Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, UKStuart E. Parsons - University of the Sunshine CoastAshley A. Rowden - Victoria University of WellingtonNatalie Sanderson - University of the Sunshine CoastAaron N. Wiegand - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication Details
- Estuarine, coastal and shelf science, Vol.312, pp.1-14
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd; LONDON
- Grant note
- We thank the Moreton Bay Foundation for continued encouragement and financial support for this project.
- Identifiers
- 991013237709302368
- Copyright
- © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article