How alpine heathlands response to the snow cover change on the ski slope? Long-lasting ski slope impact case study from the Hrubý Jeseník Mts (Central Europe)
The distribution and duration of snow cover are important variables that affect ecosystem processes in the alpine zone. The establishment of ski resorts dramatically change their surrounding environment and ski slopes represent significant anthropogenic impact in the mountains. We assessed the chang...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Polish Botanical Society
2016-06-01
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| Series: | Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pbsociety.org.pl/journals/index.php/asbp/article/view/6583 |
| _version_ | 1818995403873320960 |
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| author | Miroslav Zeidler Martin Duchoslav Marek Banaš |
| author_facet | Miroslav Zeidler Martin Duchoslav Marek Banaš |
| author_sort | Miroslav Zeidler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The distribution and duration of snow cover are important variables that affect ecosystem processes in the alpine zone. The establishment of ski resorts dramatically change their surrounding environment and ski slopes represent significant anthropogenic impact in the mountains. We assessed the changes in environmental factors, phenology, growth, and reproductive performance of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), a dominant species of alpine heathlands, caused by a “nature-friendly” managed ski slope (i.e., without artificial snow and machine grading) at permanent plots established on the ski slope under operations (inside the ski slope) and on an unaffected control area (outside the ski slope). A lower mean temperature and a shorter time of great temperature fluctuation during snow melting, a longer time span of snow cover, and a higher snow water equivalent were observed inside the ski slope compared to outside it. Due to changed environmental conditions, the beginning of growth was postponed, and a delay in phenological development was observed in the bilberry at the ski slope. However, bilberry ripened both inside and outside the ski slope in a similar period and showed similar cover and even higher flower and fruit densities inside the ski slope compared with natural surroundings. The persistence of bilberry was not deteriorated and its performance was even better inside the ski slope. On the ski slope, managed snow cover can reduce the potential vegetation shifts due to expected impact of the climate warming. That should be taken into account in conservation and management planning. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T21:13:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ef986bf44d314da085a29b5ca740d3ae |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2083-9480 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T21:13:18Z |
| publishDate | 2016-06-01 |
| publisher | Polish Botanical Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae |
| spelling | doaj.art-ef986bf44d314da085a29b5ca740d3ae2022-12-21T19:26:29ZengPolish Botanical SocietyActa Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae2083-94802016-06-0185210.5586/asbp.35045672How alpine heathlands response to the snow cover change on the ski slope? Long-lasting ski slope impact case study from the Hrubý Jeseník Mts (Central Europe)Miroslav Zeidler0Martin Duchoslav1Marek Banaš2Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371 OlomoucPlant Biosystematics and Ecology Research Group, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371 OlomoucDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371 OlomoucThe distribution and duration of snow cover are important variables that affect ecosystem processes in the alpine zone. The establishment of ski resorts dramatically change their surrounding environment and ski slopes represent significant anthropogenic impact in the mountains. We assessed the changes in environmental factors, phenology, growth, and reproductive performance of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), a dominant species of alpine heathlands, caused by a “nature-friendly” managed ski slope (i.e., without artificial snow and machine grading) at permanent plots established on the ski slope under operations (inside the ski slope) and on an unaffected control area (outside the ski slope). A lower mean temperature and a shorter time of great temperature fluctuation during snow melting, a longer time span of snow cover, and a higher snow water equivalent were observed inside the ski slope compared to outside it. Due to changed environmental conditions, the beginning of growth was postponed, and a delay in phenological development was observed in the bilberry at the ski slope. However, bilberry ripened both inside and outside the ski slope in a similar period and showed similar cover and even higher flower and fruit densities inside the ski slope compared with natural surroundings. The persistence of bilberry was not deteriorated and its performance was even better inside the ski slope. On the ski slope, managed snow cover can reduce the potential vegetation shifts due to expected impact of the climate warming. That should be taken into account in conservation and management planning.https://pbsociety.org.pl/journals/index.php/asbp/article/view/6583snow conditionstourism impactbilberryconservation |
| spellingShingle | Miroslav Zeidler Martin Duchoslav Marek Banaš How alpine heathlands response to the snow cover change on the ski slope? Long-lasting ski slope impact case study from the Hrubý Jeseník Mts (Central Europe) Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae snow conditions tourism impact bilberry conservation |
| title | How alpine heathlands response to the snow cover change on the ski slope? Long-lasting ski slope impact case study from the Hrubý Jeseník Mts (Central Europe) |
| title_full | How alpine heathlands response to the snow cover change on the ski slope? Long-lasting ski slope impact case study from the Hrubý Jeseník Mts (Central Europe) |
| title_fullStr | How alpine heathlands response to the snow cover change on the ski slope? Long-lasting ski slope impact case study from the Hrubý Jeseník Mts (Central Europe) |
| title_full_unstemmed | How alpine heathlands response to the snow cover change on the ski slope? Long-lasting ski slope impact case study from the Hrubý Jeseník Mts (Central Europe) |
| title_short | How alpine heathlands response to the snow cover change on the ski slope? Long-lasting ski slope impact case study from the Hrubý Jeseník Mts (Central Europe) |
| title_sort | how alpine heathlands response to the snow cover change on the ski slope long lasting ski slope impact case study from the hruby jesenik mts central europe |
| topic | snow conditions tourism impact bilberry conservation |
| url | https://pbsociety.org.pl/journals/index.php/asbp/article/view/6583 |
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