Plant Response to the Barstow to Las Vegas Motorcycle Race of November, 1974

<p>The purpose of this study was to determine the disturbance spectrum of the perennial plant vegetation by the Barstow to Las Vegas motorcycle race. Transects were taken at the pit area, starting line, and at various locations along the race course. Measurements were also taken in undisturbed control sites near the test areas, the topographic and bio tic features being judged as equal. Methods employed consisted of aerial photograph analysis just before and after the race. On site ground measurements were taken four years after the 1974 motorocycle event. Measurements of diversity, stability, productivity, and community quality were calculated. The results ·indicated a general negative response of perennials to motorcycle disturbance, the vegetational cover reduced on an average of 34%. In the pit area, a positive response was held by annuals due to the edge effect. Differences in percent species composition, density, and cover indicate a change in diversity and stability of the perennial plant vegetation.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

1979

Author dc:creator

• Horsley, Candace E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Earl W. Lathrop
• Norman L. Mitchell
• Anthony J. Zuccarelli

• Biology
• Plant Biology
• Desert ecology -- California; Ecological surveys -- California; Motorcycle racing -- California

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/644

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1752