http://www.poiks.net/dunes_vegetation.htm
I got permission from Poiks to post this link to a series of pics he took. He used a GPS taking a pic on each side of the 78, then moving one mile down and repeating the steps.
As you can see, there is a difference in vegatation yet the OHV side isn't "barren" as the enviro's claim, nor is the protected side completely covered with vegetation.
[This message has been edited by Fireballsocal (edited 05-14-2002).]
Great job, Jon! And thanks for posting the link, Ben 
One thing I would like to point out-those pics of the South side of 78 (the open area) are along the area called Sand Highway which experiences the most concentrated and highest amount of riders in the ISDRA. There are very few areas of the ISDRA that actually see such heavy usage and lack as much vegetation. Correlating pictures from the washes, the actual interior dunes, the area south of Roadrunner and others would clearly show just how much vegetation does exist and even thrive.
Got film, Jon?
Julie
One thing I would like to point out-those pics of the South side of 78 (the open area) are along the area called Sand Highway which experiences the most concentrated and highest amount of riders in the ISDRA. There are very few areas of the ISDRA that actually see such heavy usage and lack as much vegetation. Correlating pictures from the washes, the actual interior dunes, the area south of Roadrunner and others would clearly show just how much vegetation does exist and even thrive.
Got film, Jon?
Julie
That is a good grouping of pictures. They look good, but really hold little merit to prove much. What it does show, that even with off road activity, there is still plant life. Anyone who has ever spent time in the desert knows that the dunes change all of the time with prevailing winds. I find any attempt to qualify any research of desert vegetation to be valid with out weather data included. I have not entered the closed areas, but I can not remember observing ANY weather equipment recording wind speed or direction, temperature, both air and sand temperature. Nor have I seen any light measuring equipment. Maybe I am just a bit blind, and I apologize if I have missed what is usually considered mandatory equipment for collecting valid data.
I know that there have been many newspaper articles over this topic. Has there been any papers accepted into scientific publications? If so, and in keeping an open mind, I would like a reprint(s) of any accepted publications. (the scientists know what I am talking about…. Publish or Perish)
I know that there have been many newspaper articles over this topic. Has there been any papers accepted into scientific publications? If so, and in keeping an open mind, I would like a reprint(s) of any accepted publications. (the scientists know what I am talking about…. Publish or Perish)
one thing that impressed me was lack of OHV tracks in a non fenced restricted area
IceDiver,
These pictures are an attempt to show something that isn't "true" but has been claimed by the "greens" for a long time; the "total" lack of vegetation where the OHVs travel. It was not a specific "scientific" research/study. It was just to show that to the casual observer that there is plenty of vegetation in both areas.
Anyway, Poiks was just trying to show something and he succeeded very well at it.
[This message has been edited by Washroad (edited 05-15-2002).]
[This message has been edited by Washroad (edited 05-15-2002).]
[This message has been edited by Washroad (edited 05-15-2002).]
These pictures are an attempt to show something that isn't "true" but has been claimed by the "greens" for a long time; the "total" lack of vegetation where the OHVs travel. It was not a specific "scientific" research/study. It was just to show that to the casual observer that there is plenty of vegetation in both areas.
Anyway, Poiks was just trying to show something and he succeeded very well at it.
[This message has been edited by Washroad (edited 05-15-2002).]
[This message has been edited by Washroad (edited 05-15-2002).]
[This message has been edited by Washroad (edited 05-15-2002).]
Washroad: Exactly!
Washroad…….. You interpreted my post out of context. My point is that this argument by environmentalists is total bull….. and has absolutely no foundation as a valid scientific study. Visual observation, and elementary scientific knowledge will tell you that we (off roaders) really have little to no effect to how mother nature takes care of her dunes.
For a personal opinion, if they (environmentalists) really wanted to do something to “preserve” a plant, why close such a large section of any given area. I say, take an acre hear and there. Fence it off, and actually put signs with names, and educational information on the plant life. My bet is that instead of the 1-2 hikers that MAY hike the dunes once a year, that many families would enjoy riding the dunes, stopping outside a fenced area, and walking in with the kids. WOW, an idea that would have an educational value! In the 1,000’s of acres of dunes, a closed acre hear and there throughout the dunes would serve everyone. Environmentalists would preserve plant life, and more than 1 or 2 people a year would actually have the chance to view it!
For a personal opinion, if they (environmentalists) really wanted to do something to “preserve” a plant, why close such a large section of any given area. I say, take an acre hear and there. Fence it off, and actually put signs with names, and educational information on the plant life. My bet is that instead of the 1-2 hikers that MAY hike the dunes once a year, that many families would enjoy riding the dunes, stopping outside a fenced area, and walking in with the kids. WOW, an idea that would have an educational value! In the 1,000’s of acres of dunes, a closed acre hear and there throughout the dunes would serve everyone. Environmentalists would preserve plant life, and more than 1 or 2 people a year would actually have the chance to view it!
IceDiver,
I can't remember exactly where it was that I had seen something just like that. It was sooo long ago, but it was cool. A "nature trial walk/hike" with little signs pointing out the flora/fauna, etc., with some info on each. Anyway, that's a very good idea.
One thing that an eviro can't do is show me a specie of any kind, animal or vegetable, that has improved/recovered because people have been kept out. Some, like the vulture, have recovered to a point because of rather than lack of human involvement.
I can't remember exactly where it was that I had seen something just like that. It was sooo long ago, but it was cool. A "nature trial walk/hike" with little signs pointing out the flora/fauna, etc., with some info on each. Anyway, that's a very good idea.
One thing that an eviro can't do is show me a specie of any kind, animal or vegetable, that has improved/recovered because people have been kept out. Some, like the vulture, have recovered to a point because of rather than lack of human involvement.
Glad the pictures were worthwhile. As a few other posters stated, it really wasn't intended to be a scientific study. Since the pictures from the south side were right along sand highway, it was comparing a closed area with an extremely heavily used area--and there were still plants visible in the open area. On the high dunes, the two areas looked identical.
A better study would've been a random straight line through the center of the open area, but I didn't have time that day. Maybe in October!
A better study would've been a random straight line through the center of the open area, but I didn't have time that day. Maybe in October!
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