Breaking Ground: Gathering Baseline Recreation Ecology Data along a Section of the Ice Age Trail

Abstract

This study explores the ecological implication of trail building within forested areas by examining recently constructed (October 2022) and newly constructed (August 2023) portions of the Ice Age Trail (IAT), specifically the Iola Ski Segment near the Iola Winter Sports Club in Iola, Wisconsin. There are two main components of this study. First, we assessed conditions and ecological impacts on the constructed trail segments. Second, we surveyed the vegetation and habitat along these segments. In total, 58 points were sampled along the IAT. At each point, trail width, slope, and erosion were measured and recorded. Trail width, slope, and erosion were then compared to the IAT trail guidelines, seeing if the trail continues to meet guidelines, or if it changes over time. Vegetation coverage was also surveyed at each point. The type of vegetative cover was recorded in three feet increments, starting with 0-3 feet off the trail, then at 3-6 feet off the trail, and finally at 6-9 feet off the trail on both sides. Disturbance-based plants and native, productive site indicators were noted and recorded. This set of data will serve as the baseline data of trail measurements, erosion, and vegetation on this section of the Ice Age Trail. Our hope is that these measurements can be repeated in the future to understand how trails change over time and how they can impact surrounding environments. Though more will be known in the future, we will share some preliminary findings.