|
Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version. If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options. Evaluating Soil Physical Properties at a High Elevation Eco-Tourism Park in JamaicaPublished by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org Citation: Paper number 052249, 2005 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.19047) @2005Authors: Godfrey Gayle, Charles Raczkowski, Michele R. Mims Keywords: Bulk density, soil strength, bearing capacity, water holding capacity, saturation, permanent wilting point, field capacity, soil water characteristic, soil water tension, total soil porosity, pore-size distribution, eco-tourism, Jamaica The impact of Tourism on fragile lands is an important concern to the Jamaican government. This study was conducted to evaluate an area in the Blue Mountain Region located in the eastern part of Jamaica, which is a part of a Forest reserve that has high potential for eco-tourism activity. The study sites were at an average elevation of 1,200 meters; the target soils were formed as a result of volcanic activities and contain large amounts of ferrihydrite and aluminum humus complexes. The objectives of this research were to: 1) Determine selected soil physical properties, 2) Evaluate the ability of the soil to withstand degradation from pedestrian traffic based on the physical properties determined, 3) Evaluate the soil types of the region by comparing the physical properties determined, in objective one, to specific physical and engineering properties of Andic soils as given by Dixon and Weed (1989). Measurements were made over a two and a half year period at three sites in the Blue Mountain Region. Results were statically analyzed and showed the effects of pedestrian traffic on trails were limited to the upper 20 cm of the soil for all properties evaluated. Impact on bearing capacity ranged from 0.66 MPa to 1.58 MPa when compared to non-traffic soil bearing capacity of 0.35MPa. Pedestrian traffic also increased bulk density by 30% (0.91 g/cm3 versus 1.30 g/cm3). Porosity was reduced by 15% to 34%. This reduction was due to soil compaction. The soil physical properties observed in the study compared favorably with Andic soil physical properties reported by Dixon and Weed (1989). (Download PDF) (Export to EndNotes)
|