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The Effects of Winter Recreation on Alpine and Subalpine Fauna: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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  • Chloe F Sato
  • Jeff T Wood
  • David B Lindenmayer

Abstract

The ski industry is often perceived as having a negative impact on sensitive alpine and subalpine communities. However, empirical evidence of such impacts is lacking. We reviewed the available literature from the last 35 years to quantify the reported effects of winter recreation on faunal communities. Overall, using one-sample binomial tests (‘sign tests’) we found that the effects of all types of winter recreation-related disturbances (i.e. ski runs, resort infrastructure and winter tourism) were more likely to be negative or have no effect, than be positive for wildlife. More specifically, in Europe, where the majority of the available research was conducted, the impacts of winter recreation were most often negative for fauna. In terms of specific taxa, birds and to a lesser extent mammals and arthropods, responded negatively to disturbance. Results from our meta-analysis confirmed the results from our binomial tests. Richness, abundance and diversity of fauna were lower in areas affected by winter recreation when compared with undisturbed areas. For most regions and taxa, however, empirical evidence remains too limited to identify clear impacts of winter recreation. We therefore conclude that the majority of ski resorts are operating in the absence of knowledge needed to inform effective strategies for biodiversity conservation and ecologically-sound management. Thus, there is an urgent need for more empirical research to be conducted throughout this increasingly threatened ecological community, especially given the indication from the available literature that fauna often respond negatively to winter recreation.

Suggested Citation

  • Chloe F Sato & Jeff T Wood & David B Lindenmayer, 2013. "The Effects of Winter Recreation on Alpine and Subalpine Fauna: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(5), pages 1-11, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0064282
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064282
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin Beniston, 2012. "Is snow in the Alps receding or disappearing?," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 3(4), pages 349-358, July.
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    1. Muhallil Abtahee & Afra Anika Islam & Md. Nazmul Haque & Hasan Zonaed & Samiha Mahzabin Ritu & Sk Md Imdadul Islam & Atiq Zaman, 2023. "Mapping Ecotourism Potential in Bangladesh: The Integration of an Analytical Hierarchy Algorithm and Geospatial Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-28, July.
    2. Diego Lizana-Ciudad & Víctor J. Colino-Rabanal & Óscar J. Arribas & Miguel Lizana, 2021. "Connectivity Predicts Presence but Not Population Density in the Habitat-Specific Mountain Lizard Iberolacerta martinezricai," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Chiara Richiardi & Maria Rita Minciardi & Consolata Siniscalco & Maria Adamo, 2023. "Cumulative Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Anthropogenic Impacts in the Protected Area of the Gran Paradiso National Park in the NW Alps, Italy," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, May.

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