Table 1 Pearson’s product-moment correlation (r) matrix results for the soil resistance (SR) response variable and 14 explanatory variables. Explanatory variables derived from soils sampled over a 3-week period in subalpine meadows (n = 5) at Yosemite National Park, USA: group A (n = 252) bulk density (BD), gravimetric water content (GWC), volumetric water content (VWC), total vegetation cover (TVC 1 m²), TVC 700 cm², coarse fragment content (CF) 2–4 mm, CF > 4 mm, root mass areal density (RMAD), and root content (roots %), group B (n = 98): water holding capacity (WHC), soil organic matter content (SOM), and sand, silt, and clay. Bolded values represent variables significantly correlated with SR (r > ± 0.16, p < 0.05 for n = 252 and r > ± 0.20, p < 0.05 for n = 98), or significantly correlated with each other, indicating collinearity (r ≥ ± 0.75)

From: Multi-scale drivers of soil resistance predict vulnerability of seasonally wet meadows to trampling by pack stock animals in the Sierra Nevada, USA