title: Pilot Testing of a Sampling Methodology for Assessing Seed Attachment Propensity and Transport Rate in a Soil Matrix Carried on Boot Soles and Bike Tires.
abstract: Land managers of natural areas are under pressure to balance demands for increased recreation access with protection of the natural resource. Unintended dispersal of seeds by visitors to natural areas has high potential for weedy plant invasions, with initial seed attachment an important step in the dispersal process. Although walking and mountain biking are popular nature-based recreation activities, there are few studies quantifying propensity for seed attachment and transport rate on boot soles and none for bike tires. Attachment and transport rate can potentially be affected by a wide range of factors for which field testing can be time-consuming and expensive. We pilot tested a sampling methodology for measuring seed attachment and transport rate in a soil matrix carried on boot soles and bike tires traversing a known quantity and density of a seed analog (beads) over different distances and soil conditions. We found % attachment rate on boot soles was much lower overall than previously reported, but that boot soles had a higher propensity for seed attachment than bike tires in almost all conditions. We believe our methodology offers a cost-effective option for researchers seeking to manipulate and test effects of different influencing factors on these two dispersal vectors.
authors.affiliation: School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, UK. nhardiman@lincoln.ac.uk.|Lincoln International Business School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK. nhardiman@lincoln.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4612-045X
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hardiman
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, UK.
authors.forename: Kristina Charlotte
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.affiliation: School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, UK.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bride
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, UK.
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Passfield
mesh_terms: D001642:Bicycling; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010865:Pilot Projects; D057685:Plant Weeds / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D011998:Recreation; D058614:Seed Dispersal / Q000502:physiology; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D012987:Soil
keywords: Human-mediated dispersal; Seed attachment; Tourism impacts; Weeds