Understanding ATV use: perceptions of impact and actual impact on dune systems in New Brunswick, Canada

Hogan, Jessica L. (2018) Understanding ATV use: perceptions of impact and actual impact on dune systems in New Brunswick, Canada. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Increases in illegal all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in New Brunswick (NB), Canada, causes concern for the integrity of beaches and dune systems. Using self-administered questionnaires (n=289), we compared three NB communities: Pointe-Sapin, Escuminac, and Miscou Island. Findings show that Miscou residents perceived impacts upon dune photographs as higher than Pointe-Sapin and were more accepting of ATV management than Pointe-Sapin. In concert, we compared plant community characteristics between ATV trails on Miscou Island and non-ATV use dunes in Kouchibouguac National Park and found that where ATV trail ruts were greatest, measures of species richness increased with distance from the trail. Based on residents perceived main threat to dunes, residents may have ranked the dune photographs by vegetation cover which was seen to decrease due to rut depth on direct plots. Few studies link human dimensions with recreation ecology on coastal sand dunes, and these findings provide direction for managers in NB.

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