Abstract

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.

LLU Discipline

Biology

Department

Biology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Earl W. Lathrop

Second Advisor

Norman L. Mitchell

Third Advisor

Anthony J. Zuccarelli

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

1979

Date (Title Page)

8-1979

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Desert ecology -- California; Ecological surveys -- California; Motorcycle racing -- California

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii; 87

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage 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.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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