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

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.

Sensitivity to environmental change of the treeline ecotone and its associated biodiversity in European mountains

“…Through time, this European-wide practice has created nonclimatic ecotone locations and diversity characteristics. Many different human activities has contributed to this throughout history (Emanuelsson 1987, Bryn & Daugstad 2001, Gehrig-Fasel et al 2007) and in more recent times, tourism and recreation has impacted the treeline ecotone vegetation to an increasing degree (Wielgolaski 1998, Körner 2003, Törn et al 2009, Rixen & Rolando 2013, Sato et al 2013, Tolvanen & Kangas 2016, Ylisirniö & Allén 2016. Activities with an impact across or directly below the treeline ecotones are, or have been, tree clearing for space, fire wood, fencing, and building purposes, and harvesting of young twigs and leaf material, particularly from deciduous trees, as additional fodder.…”

Wildlife disturbance and winter recreational activities in Alpine protected areas: recommendations for successful management

“…However, whereas there is substantial knowledge on the impacts of recreational activities on wildlife, there is a lack of knowledge regarding outdoor participants' behaviour (Sato et al 2013), especially in winter. Motivations for spend-ing time outdoors vary across different user groups (Zeidnitz et al 2007), ranging from nature observation and pleasure to performance-seeking (Perrin-Malterre et al 2016).…”

“…(Sato et al 2013). This is seen by managers as an important obstacle to improving management and wildlife protection.…”

“…These activities thus increase pres-VXUH RQ ELRGLYHUVLW\ DQG FDXVH VLJQLÀFDQW EHKDYLRXUDO responses in the Alpine fauna (Ingold 2005;Sato et al 2013;Larson et al 2016). Disturbance notably increases the nutritional and energy requirements of wildlife and can lead to increased damage to vegetation, such as bark-stripping (Reimoser 2012).…”

“…Disturbance notably increases the nutritional and energy requirements of wildlife and can lead to increased damage to vegetation, such as bark-stripping (Reimoser 2012). Research has shown impacts of winter recreational activities on many taxa, especially birds and mammals (Sato et al 2013;Larson et al 2016). The vast majority of winter UHFUHDWLRQLVWV ODFN DZDUHQHVV RI WKH VLJQLÀFDQW LPSDFWV disturbance might cause and consequently underestimate the impact of their behaviour (Perrin-Malterre et al 2016).…”