Problem
Environmental degradation by off-road and all-terrain vehicles
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Destruction of nature by four-wheel-drive cars Nature:
Off-road vehicles are predominantly recreational and include motorcycles, minibikes, trail bikes, snowmobiles, dune buggies, all-terrain vehicles, hovercraft and possibly also motor boats. They are motorized and designed for travel on or over all forms of natural terrain. Their increasing popularity is leading to damage to soil and vegetation. Wildlife is harassed and its habitat disrupted. The distances one must travel to find terrain in which to use such vehicles encourages use of them in some places which are unsafe, where ecological damage can be caused, or which are otherwise unsuitable.
Incidence:
Experts in the Glacier National Park in the USA argue that use of a 4-wheel drive vehicle there would damage the ground for ten years, because the ecology is in such a delicate state of balance.
Broader Problems:
Damaging military recreationUnethical sporting practicesProliferation of sports utility vehiclesEnvironmental degradation by road trafficEnvironmental impact of sports Narrower Problems:
Noise pollutionReckless all-terrain vehicle driversEnvironmental effects of snowmobilesDestruction of wilderness by recreational vehiclesEnvironmental degradation from use of unsurfaced country roads and tracks Strategies:
Making country road improvements References:
Leitch, D A: Environmental Impact and Regulation of Recreational All-Terrain Vehicles in ManitobaWebb, R H and Wilshire, H G: Environmental Effects of Off-Road Vehicles: impacts and management in arid regions Subject(s):
Environment → Environment Geography → Nature
Geology → Geology
Industry → Metal products
Societal Problems → Destruction
Societal Problems → Vulnerability
Transportation, Telecommunications → Drivers
Transportation, Telecommunications → Motor vehicles
Transportation, Telecommunications → Roads
Transportation, Telecommunications → Vehicles
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
09.03.2021 – 18:00 CET