Journal article
Adverse impacts of off-road vehicles on coastal dune vegetation are widespread, substantial, and long-lasting: Evidence from a global meta-analysis of sandy beach-dune systems
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Vol.312, pp.1-13
2025
Abstract
1
Ocean shores are among the most spectacular and sought-after sites for leisure activities, including ‘nature and wilderness experiences’. Some of these activities can involve the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) driven across extensive stretches of sandy coastlines. Yet, this recreation mode can be controversial because of environmental, cultural, social, and ethical concerns. However, ORV users often question the putative impacts, especially the ecological aspects.
2
Here, we review the available published data about the ecological impacts of vehicles on coastal plants. We focus on vegetation because of its critical role in coastal resilience and its foundational role in the structure and function of dune-beach systems. The principal type of evidence is a formal meta-analysis of effect sizes that can be unambiguously linked to ORV use.
3
The evidence of serious ecological harm caused by ORVs to plants of beach-dune habitats is geographically widespread, extensive in taxonomic coverage (253 species, 174 genera, and 64 families), sizeable in the magnitude of reported impacts (443 records) and statistically robust (significant negative departures from zero responses).
4
Vegetation stressed by ORVs typically has substantially reduced abundance, cover, biomass, area, occurrence, diversity, and productivity. ORVs also significantly alter the composition and structure of assemblages.
5
Degradation occurs rapidly, with the first few vehicle passes causing most of the damage. Thresholds of impact can be exceptionally low (one or two cars separated by weeks), implying that in many cases, dunes and the back-shore of beaches have extremely limited resilience to repeat traffic by off-road vehicles: No ‘safe threshold’ of use may exist.
6
Recovery after closure to off-road vehicles is highly variable, depending on species traits (slower for woody shrubs) and habitat conditions (slower for back-dunes). It can be protracted, with some assemblages typically taking around a decade or more to recover.
7
The exceptionally low tolerance of many coastal plant species and habitats translates into policies to phase out ORV use on ocean shores and dunes. Spatial closures and strict controls should be the mainstay of management interventions, supplemented by novel approaches seeking to identify where and when environmentally safe and benign practices may exist and whether these can be culturally and ethically acceptable.
Details
- Title
- Adverse impacts of off-road vehicles on coastal dune vegetation are widespread, substantial, and long-lasting: Evidence from a global meta-analysis of sandy beach-dune systems
- Authors
- Thomas Schlacher (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringMichael A Weston - Deakin UniversityShane Orchard - University of CanterburyBrendan P Kelaher - Southern Cross UniversityBrooke Maslo - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyJenifer E Dugan - University of California, Santa BarbaraDavid M Hubbard - University of California, Santa BarbaraLeonardo Costa - State University of Norte FluminenseMelanie J Bishop - Macquarie UniversityKristal Kostoglou - Deakin UniversityBen Gilby - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringChristopher Henderson - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringTeresa Amaro - University of AveiroSerena Lucrezi - North-West UniversityChristian Crosby - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyMichael Elliott - University of HullKyle A Emery - University of California, Santa BarbaraFanini Lucia - University of SalentoPatrick A Hesp - Flinders UniversityKirsty Howard - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringGlenn A Hyndes - Edith Cowan UniversityMariano Lastra - Universidade de VigoAdrian McCallum - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringBhavani E Narayanaswamy - Scottish Association For Marine ScienceStuart Parsons - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAshley A Rowden - Victoria University of WellingtonNatalie Sanderson - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAaron Wiegand - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Vol.312, pp.1-13
- Publisher
- Academic Press
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ecss.2024.109038
- ISSN
- 1096-0015
- Data Availability
- Data will be made available on request.
- Grant note
- We thank the Moreton Bay Foundation for continued encouragement and financial support for this project.
- Organisation Unit
- Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Cancer Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991080798702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
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- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- Oceanography
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