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Evaluating the Physical Effects of Sport Climbing on Archaeological Sites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2017

Lael Suzann Henrikson  and
Amanda M. Camp
Lael Suzann Henrikson
Affiliation:
Bureau of Land Management, Burley, Idaho (lhenrikson@blm.gov)
Amanda M. Camp
Affiliation:
Bureau of Land Management, Burley, Idaho (lhenrikson@blm.gov)
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Abstract

A statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate whether sport climbing has contributed to de-vegetation at the base of basalt cliffs within the American Falls Archaeological District (AFAD), located along the Snake River in southern Idaho and currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). The increasing popularity of sport climbing has created challenging conflicts between public recreation and cultural resource protection. The loss of vegetation in the AFAD’s dune environment, from both recreation and natural processes, has already displaced and damaged significant archaeological resources. The Access Fund acknowledges that staging areas at the base of climbs are susceptible to vegetation loss and erosion, especially in arid environments. Since numerous “bare spots” occur under and along basalt cliffs throughout the AFAD, this analysis was designed to quantify these un-vegetated areas. The results of the analysis, which indicate that bare spots directly associated with climbing walls are significantly larger than those that appear to be natural, will be applied in management decisions regarding the protection and preservation of federally managed cultural resources within the AFAD. Hopefully, these results will assist other land management agencies in making proactive decisions regarding recreational use in archaeologically sensitive areas.

Se realizó un análisis estadístico para evaluar si los deportes de escalada han contribuido a la pérdida de vegetación de los acantilados de basalto en American Falls Archaeological District (AFAD), localizado a lo largo del río Snake en el sur de Idaho y que es actualmente administrado por las oficinas del Bureau of Land Management (BLM) y del Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). La creciente popularidad de los deportes de escalada han creado conflictos desafiantes para la recreación pública y la protección de los recursos culturales. La pérdida de vegetación en el medio ambiente de dunas del AFAD, por ambos procesos recreativos y naturales, ya ha desplazado y dañado recursos arqueológicos importantes. El Access Fund reconoce que las áreas de montaje al pie de los ascensos son susceptibles de pérdida de vegetación y de erosión, especialmente en los medios áridos. Dado que se presentan zonas desnudas debajo y a lo largo de los acantilados de basaltos de AFAD, este análisis se diseño para cuantificar estas áreas sin vegetación. Los resultados del análisis, que indican que las zonas desnudas asociadas a la subida de paredes son mucho más grandes que aquellas que parecen ser naturales , podrán implementarse en la toma de decisiones relacionadas a la protección y preservación de los recursos culturales federalmente administrados dentro de la AFAD. Ojalá, estos resultados ayuden a otras agencias dedicadas a la administración del territorio a tomar decisiones preventivas en torno a las actividades recreativas en áreas arqueológicamente sensibles.

Type
Research Article
Information
Advances in Archaeological Practice , Volume 3 , Issue 2 , May 2015 , pp. 153 - 165
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 2015

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