The impact of forest paths upon adjacent vegetation: effects of the path surfacing material on the species composition and soil compaction Original Research Article

This paper describes the vegetation which develops around forest paths (closed to public motor vehicles) in a 4383 ha-beech forest in central Belgium. The main purposes of these investigations were to analyse how far into the forest stands, paths have an influence on the surrounding plant species composition; and to acquire more specific information on the particular effect of some types of surfacing materials. The results show that forest paths have a significant effect on the surrounding plant assemblages. Some species are significantly associated with one particular type of surfacing material. Globally, the presence of a path results in an increase in the number of ruderal species, disturbance indicators, nitrogen-demanding species and indicators of basic conditions. Eutrophication and pH increase, as inferred from the plant composition, are perceptible up to a minimum distance of 10 m from the path. The consequences for long-term conservation of the woodland flora are discussed.