A unit of Lasting Forests evolving since March 30, 1999
A Total Forest Management Plan and Wildland Management Decision Support System
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Campsite Quality Index

Campsites can deteriorate easily unless use is monitored and controlled based on the results of such monitoring. An index (once programmed in BASIC as CAP401 and later to be entered as Javascript analytical tool) was developed from Forest Service studies and adapted for local use. Intensive studies are costly and rarely justified. Reasonable levels of significance can be gotten from quick observations of the 5 criteria at each campsite. Similar indices can be developed for trail conditions. Creat a form and use as follows:

1. Ground Vegetation 1
   • Coverage (GC < 10% of that of surrounding vegetation
     or that typical to such areas locally) __ (value = 1)
   • if GC < 60and GC =<10 then value=3)
   • If GC >95 or flattened but not damaged then value is 10
2. Seedlings 4
   • Tree seedlings present in understory (90% or greater) (value = 10
   • Tree seedlings present but sparce (value=3)
   • Tree seedlings sign and probably present but now absent (value = 1)
3. Bare Mineral Soil 5
   • Present (one or a few patches) (value = 10)
   • Coverage about half of the area (value = 7)
   • Widespread coverage >80% (value= 1)
4. Tree Roots 7
   • Roots not exposed (value = 10)
   • Roots exposed in patches as in trails and at fireplace(s) (value = 7)
   • Roots exposed around trees for distances up to 2 x the tree diameter (value = 3)
5. Tree Death or Vigor 9
   • Trees appear normal; minor scarring evident (value = 10)
   • Trees reduced in vigor but none dead; scarring evident (value = 7)
   • Trees reduced in vigor but at least 50% dead (value = 3)
   • Greater than 75% of trees are dead (or removed, as estimated based on surrounding tree density or that of comparable densities) (value = 1)

There are 5 major weighted criteria. The weights for each category are relative to the most important, assigned 9 (in blue) and others compared in importance to it. Each weight is multiplied by the value of the observation, the products are added and then all are divided by the sum of the weights (the total blue values (preliminary 26). The result is an approximate campsite condition, with 10 being a very good condition and other values being less (but not necessarily in a linear fashion.) Criterion 5 and 6 conditions cause the greatest change in the score so the crafty manager will be sure some resources or changes address these factors if they are in low numbers.

Area of each site may be included but the general nature of many managed sites seems to be the important question. The size of each site is relative constant. Expanding sites will change proportions; reducing site size may not be feasible and may cause conditions to worsen. Conditions are a function of managed use, rarely the size (or other natural conditions which would also have to be measured.)

The average for all of the campsites (say in a county, a ranger district, or under contract may suggest past and needed performance.

Reference Cole, D.N. 1989. Area of vegetation loss: a new index of campsite impact. USDA Forest Serv., Intermountain Research Station,Research Note INT-389, Ogden, Utah 5 p.

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This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision July 13, 2001.