Host contact: Heaven, Irene]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]> Geography
Recreation & Tourism]]>
Host contact: Brohm, Amy]]> Department: Geography]]>

Beginning with a literature review of the effects of noise on ungulates, the paper moves to present a preliminary field study investigating techniques and feasibility of a study that would explore the effect of snowmobile noise on ungulates within the forest. The final section presents a proposal for a 2003-2004 study of snowmobile noise pollution on white tailed deer disturbance and movement within Haliburton Forest, describing methods, equipment and sampling notes.]]>
Host contact: Heaven, Irene]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]>

The paper outlines the problem, describes the study methodology, presents tabular results, and concludes with a discussion and recommendations for options within the Forest to reduce emissions produced.]]>
Host contact: Heaven, Irene]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]>

When unburned fuel from snowmobiles accumulates in the snow, it is released into the ecosystem, primarily during spring thaw. The purpose of this study is primarily to measure the extent of acid and pollution pulses during spring thaw in four differently impacted lakes in the Haliburton Forest. Using the collected and analyzed data, predictions of the effects of acid pulse on aquatic life and habitat in the Haliburton Forest can be made. Recommendations are proposed for future monitoring.]]>
Host contactL Schliefenbaum, Peter]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]>
Tourism 
Environmental Impact Assessment]]>

Result highlight: less recognized within the variety of organisms that occupy an ecosystem are subnivean mammals. These are small mammals such as rodents, shrews, squirrels and voles that inhabit the sub layer of snow during cold months through underground tunneling and nesting. Concern arises as alterations to the habitat occur when passage of a snowmobile causes the snow to compact sufficiently to impose stress.]]>
Tourism 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
Forestry]]>

With over fifty lakes and many ponds, streams and creeks, fishing adventures are an important aspect of Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve. As part of its multi-use management strategy, it is important to consider the impact of snowmobiling on the aquatic ecosystems found in Haliburton Forest. Specifically, the seasonal phenomenon of spring thaw acid pulse has been examined. Snowmobiling has been shown to have various impacts on water quality. The causes and effects of acid pulse have been examined as well as possible monitoring and mitigation techniques have been proposed. Although acute increases in acidity cause a variety of effects on various aquatic organisms, this report focused mainly on fish, as they are an important aspect of the revenue generated in Haliburton Forest.]]>
Environmental impacts of snowmobiling

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The majority of policy created to deal with these episodic acidification events has been based on research concerning the deposition of anthropogenic sulfates and nitrates. However, this study suggests that point source emissions from snowmobiles can also contribute to sulfate concentrations in the snow pack that may elevate the intensity of the acidification events during the spring thaw. Critical loads were calculated for the study lakes in the Haliburton Forests and Wildlife Reserve Ltd. using the Steady-State Water Chemistry Model. From these calculations and the analysis of snow samples it was determined that current inputs of acidifying compounds have concentrations just below the critical limits for biota in the lakes. It is therefore suggested that the number of snowmobile trail passes sold per day remain at 100 and trails across lakes be limited where possible. It is also recommended that further study take place on an increased number of lakes to determine differences in acid sensitivity and critical loads, while monitoring of both deposition and point source emissions continue.]]>
Host contact: Bisset, Jody]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]>
Environmental Studies]]>
The author begins with a literature review of trails, trail use, snowmobiling, legislation regulating snow machine use, and codes of ethics around trail use. Research methodology, employing interviews and questionnaires with snowmobile users and groomers, is outlined and results analyzed. There is a discussion of the results, and recommendations are put forward regarding the establishment of a code of ethics. The author's proposed code of ethics is included in the report.]]>
Host contact: Bisset, Jody]]> Department: Geography]]>
Geography
Recreation & Tourism]]>