CLIFF

Description:

Cliffs can be found in numerous areas around the city of Burlington. Foot traffic is one of the largest threats to cliff erosion, due to soil compaction and vegetation damage. The cliff-side trails at Oakledge Park and Lone Rock Point make this issue especially prevalent²². Cliffs serve as important habitat for native wildlife²³, including many birds of prey and small mammals. Common disturbance due to human interaction creates tremendous opportunities for invasive plants to grow, threatening natural communities and biodiversity. Landslides and falling rocks are also a threat to shoreline cliffs, which are similarly a result of human-induced soil instability. ²⁴

Improvements:

Simple

Preserve cliffs by minimizing rock removal and construction²⁴ ^{pg 28}.

Reroute designated and non-designated foot traffic and trails away from ledges²⁴ ^{pg 28}.

Moderate

Manage shoreline trees.

Invasive and non-native species removal.

Intensive

Create a 35 foot vegetative buffer on cliff edge²⁴ ^{pg 29}.

Monitor or remove large trees with danger of uprooting cliff edge²⁴ ^{pg 29}.