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

Abstract

Winter recreational activities such as ski touring, free riding snow sports and snowshoeing have become ever more popular in the Alps in recent decades, with increases in both the number of activities and user demand. Increased human presence in Alpine natural zones causes disturbance to wildlife and its behaviour, leading to psychological stress responses and increased nutritional and energy requirements. Alpine protected areas have set up management strategies and tools in order to protect wildlife and its habitats while preserving high levels of outdoor recreation value. In the present article, we give an overview of best practices of visitor management and information campaigns in Alpine protected areas. Based on existing knowledge and experience gathered during an international workshop of the Alpine network of protected areas, we highlight five components that are crucial for the successful management of winter recreational activities and provide recommendations for management practice.

Skiers’ expectations as a challenge for managers of protected areas – a case study from the Tatra National Parks in Poland and Slovakia

“…The intensive development of ski resorts has been observed since the mid-20 th century, especially in the Alps and other high European mountains, such as the Tatras (Krzesiwo 2015). This has brought many economic as well as social benefits to the local communities (Koenig & Abegg 1997;Vanham et al 2009;Tsuyuzaki 1995;Ries 1996;Tsuyuzaki 2002;Watson & Moss 2004;Braunisch et al 2011;Morrison & Pickering 2013;Pröbstl-Haider et al 2016;Cremer-Schulte et al 2017;Mayer & Mose 2017). Managers of ski resorts strive for the continuous development of the resorts (Holden 2000;Krzesiwo 2015;Mayer & Mose 2017) in order to maximize their profits and to satisfy skiers' needs and goals, such as the availability of good snow conditions, diversification of the ski area, and a choice of ski routes in one ski resort (Gilbert & Hudson 2000;Dickson & Faulks 2007;Żemła 2008;Konu et al 2011;Krzesiwo & Mika 2011;Dorocki et al 2014;Nowacki 2016).…”

“…Only increasing visitors' environmental awareness through campaigns which promote environmentally-friendly behaviour brings positive results. Additionally, it is important to take into account the opinions of various stakeholders, both managers of protected areas and entrepreneurs, and visitors who are interested in practising specific winter sports (Eagles et al 2002;Sterl et al 2010;Imoos & Hunziker 2015;Cremer-Schulte et al 2017;Jodłowski 2019).…”

Aware or not aware? A literature review reveals the dearth of evidence on recreationists awareness of wildlife disturbance

“…Between 50% and 88% of publications included in these reviews supported negative rather than positive or non-existent effects. This evidence is leading managers of natural areas to implement measures for wildlife protection (Braunisch et al 2011, Stenseke and Hansen 2014, Cremer-Schulte et al 2017 and to reduce recreation-induced disturbance. In places where this process has not started yet, such evidence should contribute to or stimulate the process of implementing conservation measures.…”