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Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Laboratory and Field Protocol for Estimating Sheet Erosion Rates from Dendrogeomorphology
Published on: January 7, 2019
Can mountain bike-induced erosion be a major concern in natural areas? Evidence from high-resolution topography
1Fluvial Dynamics Research Group (RIUS), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain; Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain.
Abstract:
The recreational use of natural spaces and protected areas has been increasing in recent years. However, little is known about the impact of sport activities on nature, specifically those related to erosion processes. Soil erosion is an irreversible process and constitutes one of the greatest environmental challenges today. In this sense, natural environments are particularly sensitive to erosion processes due to the complex interactions between topography, climatic conditions and human disturbances within these areas. In this context, there are few studies that quantify erosion rates in trails (i.e., paths) of natural areas due to sports activity, even less those specifically related with mountain-biking (MTB). The existing studies are often imprecise, with low-resolution at temporal and spatial scales. In this context, multi-temporal high-resolution topography (HRT) is presented as a reliable method to quantify erosion associated with MTB and natural processes, even at very small magnitudes (i.e., <1 cm). These results can help in better understanding the impacts caused by MTB on trail degradation (i.e., erosion) and, at the same time, help in the disentangling and comparison of the impacts caused by natural erosion processes. These findings are essential for developing criteria for the sustainable planning, management and use of recreational activities, including sports events in natural areas.
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