Introduction (1)

This decision tool presents recommendations of a long-term study of soil and plant community resistance to, and capacity to recover from, three common types of activities:
- Off-road vehicle traffic ("Track")
- Ground troop activities ("Infantry")
- Livestock, wildlife and recreational horse use ("Livestock")

The study included three gypsic soils:
-Highly gypsic soils ("Dune Margin")
-Partially gypsic soils ("Transition")
-Marginally gypsic soils ("Outcrop")
representative of much of the land area covered by Holloman Air Force Base.

Using the decision tool:

There are two ways to use this tool. Either select the soil where training activities are planned and compare the impacts of different activities or select the type of activity, and compare soils. You can toggle between the two approaches by simply clicking on the soil photo or the activity photo.

Training

OFF ROAD VEHICLE TRAFFIC: "TRACK"

Off-road vehicle traffic ("Track") -Track disturbance was tested by driving a WWII-vintage jeep back and forth across test sites at speeds between 5 and 10 kph. Each point on each treated plot was run across twice by two wheels for a total of four wheel passes. Tire inflation pressure was kept standardized at approximately 15 psi. Track type training should be used with caution wherever it is located since it has the highest and longest lasting impact on all types of soil.

To choose a soil on which to train with vehicles, click on the picture below.

GROUND TROOP ACTIVITIES: "INFANTRY"

Ground troop activities ("Infantry") - Infantry disturbance was tested by crossing booted soldiers across sites a fixed number of times ensuring that every point had been disturbed (either having been stepped on or had soil directly kicked onto it) at least once. The number of times the soldiers passed across each plot was standardized during treatment. Infantry training is generally low impact and can be repeated at relatively high frequency at appropriate sites.

To choose a soil on which to train Infantry, click on the picture below.

Livestock, wildlife and recreational horse use ("Livestock") - Livestock disturbance was tested by riders guiding horses back and forth across test sites ensuring that every point had been disturbed (either having been stepped on or had soil directly kicked onto it) at least once. The number of times the horses passed across each plot was standardized during treatment. Livestock training is generally low impact and can be repeated at relatively high frequency at appropriate sites.

To choose a soil on which to train with Livestock, click on the picture below.