Soil CompactionSoil that has been compacted resists the penetration of both water and roots, making it hard for vegetation to grow and increasing the amount of runoff during rain storms.
We measured soil compaction at 55 pairs of sites - one of each pair near the trail, the other well off the trail. 60% of the sites near the trail were loose enough to be ideal for root growth. The rest were to the point that root growth would be restricted, including 15% highly likely to resist root growth. In these places, some soil treatment might be needed before vegetation will re-establish. Among the off-trail sites, 89% were ideal for root growth. See the Study Design page for methods. |
Water Infiltration
Water infiltrated more slowly (1.5 inches/hour) in soil near the trail than it did in soil farther from the trail (2.1 inches/hour). Many of the places with slow infiltration were along the Neuse River floodplain, which has hydric soils and high water tables.
See the Study Design page for methods.
See the Study Design page for methods.
This effort is a collaboration among NC State University; Raleigh Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Resources; the Nature Research Center of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences; and WakeNature Preserves Partnership. This effort is being led and conducted by students in a course on Natural Resources Measurements at NC State University.