Use of off-road vehicles and mitigation of effects in Alaska permafrost environments: A review |
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Authors: | Charles W Slaughter Charles H Racine Donald A Walker Larry A Johnson Gunars Abele |
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Institution: | (1) Pacific Northwest Research Station USDA Forest Service, Institute of Northern Forestry, 99775-5500 Fairbanks, Alaska, USA;(2) Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Massachusetts, 01003 Amherst, Massachusetts, USA;(3) Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, 80309 Boulder, Colorado, USA;(4) US Army Cold Regions Research Engineering Laboratory, 99703 Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA;(5) US Army Cold Regions Research Engineering Laboratory, 03755 Hanover, New Hampshire, USA |
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Abstract: | Use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) in permafrost-affected terrain of Alaska has increased sharply over the past two decades.
Until the early 1960s, most ORV use was by industry or government, which employed heavy vehicles such as industrial tractors
and tracked carriers. Smaller, commercial ORVs became available in the 1960s, with the variety and number in use rapidly increasing.
Wheeled and tracked ORVs, many used exclusively for recreation or subsistence harvesting by individuals, are now ubiquitous
in Alaska. This increased use has led to concern over the cumulative effects of such vehicles on vegetation, soils, and environmental
variables including off-site values.
Factors affecting impact and subsequent restoration include specific environmental setting; vegetation; presence and ice content
of permafrost; microtopography; vehicle design, weight, and ground pressure; traffic frequency; season of traffic; and individual
operator practices. Approaches for mitigating adverse effects of ORVs include regulation and zoning, terrain analysis and
sensitivity mapping, route selection, surface protection, and operator training.
We regret the untimely death of Gunars Abele on August 27, 1989; he was a valued colleague and good friend. |
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Keywords: | Permafrost Off-road vehicles ORV Trails Impacts Effects Mitigation |
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