ABSTRACT
B. E. Willard initiated research on visitor impact around four main parking areas above treeline where about 95 per cent of the visitors congregate. Extensive vegetation sampling on the range of affected alpine plant community types was undertaken and tourist activity patterns were observed. She concluded that trampling was the most important form of human activity that resulted in the most serious damage to alpine tundra communities. It is evident that man does not need a machine before he can cause damage. Trampling, whether in tennis shoes or heavy climbing boots, especially where concentrated, can obliterate the natural alpine environment. Willard found that where natural vegetation was obliterated to expose the dark ‘A’ horizon, seed set and recolonization was especially hampered, owing to the virtual baking of seedlings under conditions of very high surface temperatures induced by dark soil and intense incoming solar radiation in a relatively transparent alpine atmosphere.
