Maddy Brumberg, Kelly Donovan, Duncan Pogue

The Effect of Recreation on the Lake Champlain Basin

Goal

Determine and quantify impacts of recreation on soil, vegetation, wildlife, and water quality within the Lake Champlain Basin.

Why recreation is important “The Lake Champlain

Basin's rich recreation and cultural resources provide innumerable benefits to those who live within and visit the Basin.” -Lake Champlain Basin Program

$3.8 billion annual revenue Growing popularity of LCB LCBP wants to increase

ecotourism opportunities

LCB recreational activities Motorboating, camping, swimming, wildlife

watching, scuba diving, cross country skiing, fishing, biking, extreme water sports, off road vehicles, snowmobiling, picnicking water fun, skydiving, horseback riding, ice fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, extreme sports, golfing, frisbee, canoeing, sailing, kite boarding, wind surfing, cowtipping, hunting …

Soil Compaction Loss of litter and humus

layers Increase of soil density Decrease infiltration/soil

moisture Change is soil structure

and stability Increased runoff and

erosion Biology and chemistry

alterations

Impacts on Vegetation High initial mortality

rates Decrease in

reproductive capacity Soil compaction

inhibits root penetration

Mechanical damage Alteration of species

composition

Impacts on Wildlife Habitat modification Population dynamics Species Composition Animal disturbance

and harassment Alterations of

behavior Species displacement

Impacts on Aquatic Environments

Motor-Boating Pollution

Engines Paints

Habitat Disruption Physical Impacts on Vegetation

Invasives Transport Shallow Water Plants

Fishing-

Fishing Derbies

STRESSOR(RECREATION)

Aquatic-Non- motor boating-Motor-boating-Swimming-Scuba Diving-Fishing-X-treme sports

Riparian-Swimming-Fishing-Lake access areas-Camping-Biking (bike path)-Hiking (trails)-Park activities-Horseback Riding

Terrestrial-Hiking/climbing-Skiing/Boarding-Snow shoeing/X-country skiing-Off-road vehicles/snowmobiling-Biking-X-treme sports-Park activities-Horsebackriding

HABITATS

Developed

Forest

Herbaceous

Agriculture

Wetlands

Open Water

LC <6’

LC >6’

Ponds/Lakes

Rivers/Streams

Agriculture

Urban

Water Treatment Plants

Barriers

Roads

Hatcheries

Marinas

Forested Areas

SOURCES

Industrial

Parks

External

Recreation to Habitats Link/Importance

  Open Water Ponds/Lakes Rivers/Streams

  Shallow Deep        

Aquatic 1 1 1 .5 1 1 1 .5

Riparian 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 .5

Terrestrial 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0                 

Overall 1 1 1 .5 1 1 1 .5

Developed Forest Herbacious Wetlands               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01 0 1 .5 1 1 1 .51 0 1 1 1 1 1 .5

               

1 0 1 1 1 1 1 .5

  AquaticRiparianTerrestrial 

Overall

Recommendations Recreational Management in LCB

Base on recreational carrying capacity Incorporate site selection, zoning and design Citizen outreach and education

Class Suggestions Change recreation as a stressor

Select major recreational activities to focus category

Questions?