[H-TT14] HIGH-DEFINITION TOPOGRAPHIC SURFACE DATA FOR CONNECTIVITY IN THE ANTHROPOCENE

[HTT14-P05] Effects of ground-contacting gears on footprint-induced trail surface deformation

*Yuichi S. Hayakawa¹, Christopher A Gomez³, Teiji Watanabe¹, Ting Wang¹, Yusuke Kobayashi², Masafumi Inomata², Tomoya Sakai², Satomi Imagawa² (1.Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, 2.Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, 3.Maritime Science, Kobe University )

Keywords:trail erosion, footprints, footwares, trekking poles, three dimensional, SfM-MVS photogrammetry

Pedestrian footprints represent a significant factor contributing to soil surface erosion along trails. Additionally, different ground-contacting gears, such as footwear and poles, may have different impacts on footprint-induced trail erosion. Utilizing recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) topography measurement, we conducted experiments simulating trail erosion by pedestrian footprints with varying gears, including trekking poles, trekking shoes, trail running shoes, and barefoot. The repetitive traversal of the experimental plot resulted in observable deformations in the soil surface. Employing Structure-from-Motion Multiview Stereo (SfM-MVS) photogrammetry, we captured and quantified 3D morphological changes in the experimental trail surface, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the amount and spatial patterns of erosion. While the depth of footprints remained consistent, the study revealed that the hardness and weight of footwear directly correlated with the lateral extent of soil surface erosion, i.e., maximum with trekking shoes and minimum with barefoot. Furthermore, the inclusion of trekking poles in the experiment demonstrated an additional effect, enhancing lateral soil spread. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of trail erosion caused by pedestrian activities and offer potential insights for understanding actual trail surface erosion in natural environments.