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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Management Techniques Used at Mt. Pisgah

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Management Techniques Used at Mt. Pisgah. Joe Arevalo, Taylor Emmons, Sarah Harefa , Ashley Van Wyk , and Jacob Zondag Calvin College Department of Geology, Geography, and Environmental Studies. Study Area. Holland, Michigan – Mt. Pisgah circled in red.

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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Management Techniques Used at Mt. Pisgah

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  1. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Management Techniques Used at Mt. Pisgah Joe Arevalo, Taylor Emmons, Sarah Harefa, Ashley Van Wyk, and Jacob Zondag Calvin College Department of Geology, Geography, and Environmental Studies

  2. Study Area • Holland, Michigan – Mt. Pisgah circled in red

  3. Background • Trampling impact (Andersen 1995) • van Dijk and Vink (2005) study results • Unnaturally angled ramp down bare sand slipface • Notch in crest 5 meters lower than surrounding crest • Most visitors not local and do not believe the dune has problems • Management techniques completed in 2009

  4. Research Question Have management techniques at Mt. Pisgah been effective?

  5. Study objectives • To measure activity on the dune. • To compare extent of activity measured to results of van Dijk and Vink(2005) study. • To map and assess the presence and quality of dune management techniques implemented. • To understand visitors perception of dune management at Mt. Pisgah.

  6. Methods • Measured sediment activity with erosion pins • Compared extent of activity by replicating pictures taken in 2005 • Mapped management techniques and human impacts • Gauged visitor perceptions by distributing questionnaire

  7. Measuring Sediment Activity

  8. Comparing Activity Levels 2005 2012 View along southern arm looking west

  9. Comparing Activity Levels 2005 2012 View from blowout looking toward the crest

  10. Comparing Activity Levels 2005 2012 View across middle of the blowout looking north

  11. Comparing Activity Levels 2005 2012 View from base of leeward slope looking west – unnaturally angled slope

  12. Comparing Activity Levels 2005 2012 View from crest towards Lake Macatawa

  13. Map of Management Techniques

  14. Map of Human Impacts:Unmanaged Trails

  15. Map of Human Impacts:Litter and damaged fences

  16. Visitor Perceptions

  17. Visitor Perceptions

  18. Visitor Perceptions

  19. Visitor Perceptions

  20. Visitor Perceptions

  21. Visitor Perceptions

  22. Visitor Perceptions

  23. Conclusions • Management techniques have been effective at limiting and mitigating human impact. • In general, there is public acceptance and cooperation with management techniques. • However, unmanaged trails, litter, and damaged fences indicate an uncooperative segment of visitors.

  24. WORKS CITED Andersen, U.V. 1995. “Resistance of Danish coastal vegetation types to human trampling.” Biological Conservation 71:223–230. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Holland State Park.” Slideshow. <http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Holland_SP_Slideshow_334712_7.pdf>. van Dijk, Deanna and D. Robert Vink 2005. “Visiting A Great Lakes Sand Dune: The Example of Mt. Pisgah in Holland, Michigan.” The Great Lakes Geographer 12(2): 45-63. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission who provided our research site and Calvin College for providing facilities and equipment. • This research was supported by the National Science Foundation Grant 0942344, Melanie Manion and Deanna van Dijk.

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