Impact of trampling on sandy beach macrofauna |
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| Authors: | M D Moffett A McLachlan P E D Winter A M C De Ruyck |
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| Institution: | (1) Zoology Department, University of Port Elizabeth, P.O. Box 1600, 6000 Port Elizabeth, South Africa;(2) Present address: College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, P. O. Box 36 SQU 123, Oman |
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| Abstract: | The effects of varying intensities of human trampling on sandy beach macrofauna were investigated at an exposed beach on the
Eastern Cape coast. An experimental approach investigated the survival rates of four macrofaunal species which were subjected
to human trampling at different intensities in a holiday-activity simulation. It was found that the clamDonax serra was slightly impacted at all trampling intensities whileDonax sordidus and the isopodEurydice longicomis were affected only at high trampling intensities. Vigorous beach games, such as volleyball, may have a damaging effect onD. serra. In a second experiment, the severe effects of human trampling onD. serra and the benthic mysidGastrosaccus psammodytes were investigated using numbered animals in enclosures. The results indicated that few members of the macrofauna were damaged
at low trampling intensities but substantial damage occurred under intense trampling. |
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| Keywords: | Bivalve Eastern Cape Isopod Recreation |
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