The Evaluation and Key-Factor Identification of the Influence of Tourism on the Soil of Mount Tai

Tourism significantly disrupts soil quality and accelerates heavy metal accumulation at UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount Taishan, according to new research. The study used a complex network method to analyze 10 scenic and control soil samples, revealing that tourism increases organic matter (OM), alkali-dissolved nitrogen (AN), and available phosphorus (AP) while reducing available potassium (AK). Heavy metal concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) also rose notably. Soil microbial activity and diversity slightly declined, and network analysis showed reduced connectivity among soil variables, destabilizing the ecosystem. Prioritizing OM and AN enhancement alongside Cd pollution control is critical to mitigating tourism's impact. The study highlights the potential of complex networks in assessing soil degradation mechanisms.

Li, F., Wang, K., Li, X., Zhang, H., & Li, Y. (2022). The Evaluation and Key-Factor Identification of the Influence of Tourism on the Soil of Mount Tai. Sustainability, 14(21), 13929. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113929