Studies on the Potential Impact of Recreational Horseriding on some Alpine Environments of the Central Plateau, Tasmania

Horseriding is one of the more controversial recreational uses of the alpine and sub-alpine environments of the Central Plateau in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Experiments were designed to help determine the impact of horse trampling and horse manure on the soils and vegetation of this area. The passage of 20-30 horses had substantial immediate and delayed effects on the soils of shrubland, herbfield and bolster heath, but little affect on dry grassland soils. Damage to vegetation was most pronounced in the shrubland, where a prostrate shrub, Grevillea australis, lost a large proportion of its biomass. Field experiments showed that weed establishment was limited to manured plots and was favoured by the exclusion of grazing animals and ground disturbance. Several weed species set seed during the 12 months of observation. Trails may be necessary to limit damage in the eroded shrubland, while herbfield and bolster heath are best avoided by horseriders.