Likely impacts of snow grooming and related activities in the West Otago ski fields Research Completed
Title
Likely impacts of snow grooming and related activities in the West Otago ski fields
Lead Author
Wardle, K. & Fahey, B.
Organisation(s)
Department of Conservation
Publication Year
1997
Publisher
Department of Conservation
Contacts
Abstract
Concern has been expressed over the possible effects of snow grooming and related activities on vegetation and soil properties in those ski fields on Department of Conservation Recreational Reserve land in West Otago. A comprehensive review (including an annotated bibliography) was made of the overseas and New Zealand literature in order to assess the likely impacts associated with winter recreational activities (especially snow grooming) on vegetation and soil in alpine and sub-alpine environments. The review highlights both the indirect and direct effects arising from snow grooming and snow-pack compaction. In the latter case, heat flow rates, and length of snow retention are observed to increase, while porosity, permeability, and water holding capacity decrease. These effects flow through to the soil in the form of increased frost penetration, and prolong the time the soil remains frozen. These can in turn alter soil microbial activity, and the composition of plant communities through changes in the length of the growing season and soil moisture availability. Based on the literature review and site visits to Coronet Peak, the Remarkables, and Treble Cone ski fields, greatest damage is likely to be sustained by cushion plant communities on convex slopes and hummock crests, but tussock plants can be compressed and decapitated by grooming and skiing wherever the snow pack is thin. Recommendations are made for establishing a vegetation and soil monitoring programme using relocatable marked transects at selected groomed and ungroomed sites in the West Otago ski fields.
Keywords:
Otago, Snow, Snow grooming, Ski, Snowsports, Recreational reserve, Recreation, Winter sports, Ski field
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July 13, 2012