В национальном парке Акадия ежедневно разбирают более 200 искусственных каменных куч, наносящих ущерб экосистеме

BAR HARBOR, Maine (WABI) - A seemingly small act is stacking up to cause real harm at Acadia National Park: rock-stacking. “We’ve kind of got two different types of rock stacks when we’re talking about rock stacks,” explains Friends of Acadia summit steward manager Stephanie Ley. “The ones that the park builds to mark and maintain the trails, and then the ones that are a little bit more decorative and visitor built.” Summit stewards say they have dismantled upward of 200 visitor-built rock stacks per day this year. While the man-made piles of balancing rocks may seem meaningless, they cause unique ecological problems from the sea to the summits. On Bar Island, an area accessible only at low tide, rock-stacking has become a highly popular but damaging pastime. Ley says when visitors stack rocks sourced from the exposed intertidal zone, they could be “quite literally taking the roof off of one of the critters” that live there. Up on the mountain summits, moving rocks trigger soil erosion and plant loss. “Rocks serve as a little catchment for soil and places for those plants to take hold and hold that soil in place,” explains Ley. “And when we move those rocks, the soil is at risk of erosion.” The damage is so severe that major plant restoration efforts are underway on Sargent, Penobscot and Cadillac mountains. Due to the extreme soil erosion, volunteers have had to hike extra soil up to the summits. Not only do the stacks raise environmental concerns, but they also a safety risk. Bates Cairns are unique, purposefully constructed rocks that guide hikers. These are especially crucial in low-visibility conditions when paint markers are difficult to see. “If rock stacks are built nearby trails, folks might think they’re following the Bates Cairns when in fact they’re following somebody’s rock stack trail,” describes Friends of Acadia lead summit steward Molly Bogner. While building a stack might seem like a fun way to leave a mark, stewards emphasize that leaving no trace is the best way to enjoy Acadia. “If you’re walking up onto a mountaintop or over a crossbar island, you don’t necessarily want to see 200 plus rock stacks. It can just look really unnatural and not what everyone came here to see,” comments Ley. Because Acadia is home to so many delicate natural features, Bogner advises visitors to check for creatures under rocks before picking them up to investigate. If you spot a cool rock, she suggests taking a photo instead of moving or keeping it. “Taking a moment to take in the views and really enjoying the resource that you’re in while also realizing that you have the power to protect these resources,” Bogner recommends.