Our article about the effects of #AllTerrainVehicles on coastal #dune #vegetation is out early online at Applied Vegetation Science! Here is a thread about our findings, the importance, and links to my social research! @rangeshifts @MUNGeog https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/avsc.12549 (1/4)

We found that ATV rut depth (wheel tracks) may relate to a decrease in total and native #species on trails and slightly increases non-natives up to 25m from trails. When rut depth exceeded 50cm, all species sharply declined suggesting that regrowth may be difficult. (2/4)

Dunes are important for absorbing the impact of high-energy storms and slowing coastal erosion. If veg on dunes decreases, there may not be as much to keep the sand from eroding. AND #ClimateChange will likely increase high intensity storms ( https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate1357). (3/4)

During my #SocialResearch, one person said that they ATV'd to be in #nature when not able to walk due to their age. ATVs were also said to be used to gather wood, hunt, and even to pick berries. Land managers should also consider locals' views. See:
https://research.library.mun.ca/13613/1/thesis.pdf (4/4)

Thank you to everyone who was involved in this project especially @rangeshifts who is exceptional! Also, a big thanks to @MitacsCanada @MUNGeog @NCC_CNC @SSHRC_CRSH for the support and @LukeDriscoll92 for spending weeks in the dunes counting grass with me.

A BIG THANK-YOU to the community members for all of the help they provided! To those that helped along the way: Dr. Alistair Bath, Kaleb McNeil, Laurel Bernard, Jennifer White, Nathalie Djan-Chéker, Dr. Norm Catto, @YolandaWiersma, and MANY others, THANKS!