{"title":"From a research vision to a state-of-the-art research strategy: UNESCO experts’ meeting in the Karst and River Reka Basin Biosphere Reserve","authors":"G. Köck, Darja Kranjc, Irena Lazar, Vanja Debevec","doi":"10.1553/eco.mont-12-2s58","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-12-2s58","url":null,"abstract":"UNESCO ́s Lima Action Plan (LAP) explicitly calls on biosphere reserves (BRs) to build partnerships with universities and other research institutions to establish research, training and practical learning opportunities. For a BR, a research strategy is an essential framework that provides insights into the work carried out in the area, available data and needs for future research studies. It is the roadmap for adaptive management in a BR. It was therefore a major concern of the Karst and River Reka Basin BR (Škocjan, Slovenia) to develop a research strategy for the greater integration of science and research in the BR in a highly participatory process and with the support of international experts. Scientists, researchers and BR managers from eight countries shared their knowledge and experiences during a 3-day meeting in Škocjan (Slovenia), 23 to 25 October 2019. The importance of research in BRs, proper data management, involvement of local communities for monitoring and research, partnership and education were presented in case studies. Profile","PeriodicalId":49079,"journal":{"name":"Eco Mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research","volume":"17 1","pages":"58-63"},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86190960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The economic impact of tourism on protected natural areas: examining the influence of physical activity intensity on visitors’ spending levels","authors":"E. Farías-Torbidoni, Demir Barić","doi":"10.1553/eco.mont-12-2s22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-12-2s22","url":null,"abstract":"In addition to being important tourism attractions that boost local economic development, protected areas also promote healthy habits through engagement in a variety of physical activities (PA). However, little is known about the extent to which PA intensity influences visitors’ spending. Drawing on results from 500 questionnaires collected from visitors in the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, Spain, this study assesses the influence of PA intensity on spending after controlling for sociodemographic, visit, motivational and opinion descriptors to assess the connection between these two factors. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that PA intensity had a marginal but potentially significant effect on respondents’ expenditure during their visits. When looked at separately, the results indicated that trip and motivational descriptors explained the highest degree of variation in visitor spending. More research is necessary to confirm whether these findings are applicable broadly. Research eco.mont – Volume 12, Number 2, July 2020 ISSN 2073-106X pr int vers ion – ISSN 2073-1558 onl ine vers ion: ht tp://epub.oeaw.ac.at/eco.mont ht tps://dx.doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-12-2s22 22","PeriodicalId":49079,"journal":{"name":"Eco Mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research","volume":"38 1","pages":"22-32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83000498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Hibner, Jarosław Balon, M. Jodłowski, Szymon Ciapała
{"title":"Skiers’ expectations as a challenge for managers of protected areas – a case study from the Tatra National Parks in Poland and Slovakia","authors":"J. Hibner, Jarosław Balon, M. Jodłowski, Szymon Ciapała","doi":"10.1553/eco.mont-13-1s41","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-13-1s41","url":null,"abstract":"Mountain areas are particularly attractive for the development of winter activities such as skiing, owing to both morphological and climatic conditions. However, mountain areas are at the same time vulnerable. For this reason, they are often under protection. This study focuses on two important and heavily used ski resorts in the Tatra National Parks, Kasprowy Wierch (Poland) and Skalnaté Pleso (Slova-kia), looking at skiers’ opinions and complaints regarding the resorts. In addition, a comparison between the resorts was conducted. In order to verify the relationship between socio-demographic variables and the skiers’ opinions, two types of statistical tests were used: Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Chi-square. The results show that the Kasprowy Wierch ski resort received a larger number of negative comments than Skalnate Pleso. However, Skalnate Pleso drew more negative opinions regarding the impact of the cable car and ski area on the landscape. The consequences of fulfilling visitors’ expectations can be used practically by the managers of the protected areas.","PeriodicalId":49079,"journal":{"name":"Eco Mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research","volume":"104 10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74490368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Valerie Braun, C. Diry, H. Mayer, A. Weber, G. Köck
{"title":"Conservation, development and logistical support: How are these three functions incorporated in Austrian Biosphere Reserves?","authors":"Valerie Braun, C. Diry, H. Mayer, A. Weber, G. Köck","doi":"10.1553/eco.mont-12-2s52","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-12-2s52","url":null,"abstract":"There are four UNESCO biosphere reserves (BRs) in Austria representing different bio-geographical regions. As members of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), they function according to the Seville Strategy of 1996 and are intended to fulfil three complementary functions: conservation, sustainable development and logistical support. This article aims to give an overview of the manifold initiatives taking place in Austrian BRs which reflect the complexity of the landscapes and the people living there.","PeriodicalId":49079,"journal":{"name":"Eco Mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research","volume":"80 1","pages":"52-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79100663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Italian Julian Alps – A new Biosphere Reserve for a sustainable future","authors":"StefanoStefano Santi, Paola Cigalotto, Alessandro Benzoni","doi":"10.1553/eco.mont-12-2s46","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-12-2s46","url":null,"abstract":"In June 2019 UNESCO established the new Italian Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve (BR) in the frame of the MAB programme. It includes the entire territory of 11 mountain municipalities in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The recognition is based on the special biodiversity of the area, its original historical and cultural characteristics, and the possibility of creating a new transboundary BR with the Slovenian Julian Alps. Ongoing projects dedicated to nature preservation, awareness raising on environmental topics, the promotion of typical local products and the involvement of the local community were also judged positively. The BR is seen by local administrators and stakeholders as an opportunity to develop actions for sustainability with regard to the protection and enhancement of the extraordinary environmental richness, and to give young people the opportunity to live in the area. For this reason, the Management Committee will be supported in its activity by a Youth Advisory Board. Profile","PeriodicalId":49079,"journal":{"name":"Eco Mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research","volume":"7 2 1","pages":"46-51"},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78829443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Schabetsberger, L. Grapci-Kotori, H. Ibrahimi, Astrit BilalIi, Z. Levkov, C. Jersabek, M.S.C.E. Vorage, Mathieu Denoël, R. Kaiser, K. Pall, U. Eisendle, E. Eder, Almedina Sadiku
{"title":"First limnological characterization of Lakes Leqinat and Drelaj in Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, Kosovo","authors":"R. Schabetsberger, L. Grapci-Kotori, H. Ibrahimi, Astrit BilalIi, Z. Levkov, C. Jersabek, M.S.C.E. Vorage, Mathieu Denoël, R. Kaiser, K. Pall, U. Eisendle, E. Eder, Almedina Sadiku","doi":"10.1553/eco.mont-13-1s12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-13-1s12","url":null,"abstract":"The Balkan Peninsula is a biodiversity hotspot and hosts numerous mountain lakes, which offer a refuge for a multitude of species. However, previous pristine habitats have been deeply affected by anthropogenic change, such as non-native fish introductions, which calls for multi-species considerations in the last remaining unaltered habitats. We carried out abiotic measurements and biodiversity assessments in two neighbouring alpine lakes, Lakes Leqinat and Drelaj in the Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park in Kosovo, in August 2018. Lake Leqinat is a permanent, stratified water body and exhibits weak oxygen depletion below 3 m. Phytoplankton was dominated by chrysophycean, cryptophycean and chlorophycean algae. Zooplankton consisted of five rotifer species and Daphnia longispina. A mark-recapture experiment yielded a population of alpine newts (Ichthyosaura alpestris) of nearly 4 000 adult individuals. In contrast, cold water from the surrounding karst seeps into Lake Drelaj, which is a well-oxygenated temporary lake. Hence phytoplankton and zooplankton biomasses were considerably lower than in Lake Leqinat. Phytoplankton was dominated by cryptophycean, chlorophycean, and bacillariophycean algae. Zooplankton consisted of the diaptomid copepod Mixodiaptomus tatricus, the cladoceran Daphnia rosea, and the anostracan Chirocephalus diaphanus. Conservation efforts should ensure that Lake Leqinat remains unstocked as introduced fish would probably destroy the natural community. Research eco.mont – Volume 13, Number 1, January 2021 ISSN 2073-106X pr int vers ion – ISSN 2073-1558 onl ine vers ion: ht tp://epub.oeaw.ac.at/eco.mont ht tps://dx.doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-13-1s12 12","PeriodicalId":49079,"journal":{"name":"Eco Mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research","volume":"92 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74646357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Linking visitors’ spatial preferences to sustainable visitor management in a Norwegian national park","authors":"Sofie Kjendlie Selvaag, Ø. Aas, V. gundersen","doi":"10.1553/eco.mont-12-1s27","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-12-1s27","url":null,"abstract":"The increasing numbers of tourists visiting national parks contribute to new oppor tunities as well as challenges. Alpine and Arctic national parks in Northern Europe are key habitats for vulnerable species such as wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus), and there is a significant need for management tools that can reduce the negative impacts of tourism. To gain knowledge about visitors' motivations and spatial preferences, we carried out a survey of people (n = 498) on paths in part of Rondane National Park, Norway. The results indicate that a large share of the visitors in the central, vulnerable part of the National Park may find their desired recreation al benefits in the less vulnerable fringe entrance areas. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of the results and how to increase knowledge about visitors' spatial preferences in order better to regulate their behaviour with the aim of reduc ing impacts on vulnerable fauna. Profile","PeriodicalId":49079,"journal":{"name":"Eco Mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research","volume":"35 6 1","pages":"27-34"},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77961272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Nature Park movement in Austria – from recreational areas to(wards) model regions for sustainable development","authors":"Valerie Braun","doi":"10.1553/eco.mont-12-1s64","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-12-1s64","url":null,"abstract":"In Austria, Nature Parks (NaP) are the oldest large protected areas. The first NaPs were created both as recreational areas for the urban population of Vienna, and to encourage economic growth in rural cultural landscapes. Twenty years after the first characteristic landscapes were designated to protect their uniqueness without preventing their economic development, working groups were established to concentrate on the further development and establishment of NaPs. With the foundation of the Association of Austrian NaPs, an umbrella organization, a common strategy for all Austrian NaPs was developed and implemented. Today, the strategy of NaPs is to simultaneously protect natural and cultural landscapes and to become model regions for sustainable development. This article highlights the development of NaPs in Austria from recreational parks for the urban population to model regions for sustainable development. Foundation of Nature Parks The idea of the establisment of Nature Parks (NaPs) in Austria ran almost parallel to the emergence of the idea in Germany. In 1956, Dr. Alfred Toepfer, chairman of the NaP Association, had proposed a programme of twenty-five NaPs in Germany at the association’s annual meeting (Liesen et al 2008) and in 1959 an Austrian geographer, building on Toepfer’s idea, proposed twelve NaPs in Austria (Strzygowskin 1959). Only a few years later, in 1962, the first NaP was founded leading to a series of nature park foundations until 2012 (see Table 1): In the 1960s, first establishment of NaPs in Lower Austria. In the 1970s, nine NaPs were designated in Lower Austria which were regarded as cultivated nature for recreation purposes (Schweiger 1980). In the 1980s, large areas with distinctive landscapes were designated in Styria. In the 1990s, the first NaP in Upper Austria was founded to maintain the small-scale structure of the area’s particular cultural landscape (Bauernfeind 1996). Two cross-border NaPs were also established with Hungary, in Burgenland. Between 2000 and 2012, 19 NaPs were created, amounting to almost 318 000 ha (Verband der Naturparke Österreichs 2019a), the last one being NaP Attersee-Traunsee; yet the idea for a NaP in this area was already being considered in 1967 (Fossel & Probst 1988). No further NaP has been designated since 2012. Today, NaPs cover almost 6% of the total area of Austria. They differ in size and cover the most diverse cultural landscape types. The smallest NaP is NaP Falkenstein-Schwarzau / Gebirge in Lower Austria, with 17 ha; the largest is NaP Karwendel in Tyrol, with 72 741 ha. The development of the objectives and functions through time For Germany, where the focus from the beginning was on conservation, Weber & Weber (2015) describe five phases in the development of the objectives and functions of NaPs through time. The four phases that can be identified in Austria, where the original purpose was to create recreational areas for the urban population, differ slightly from these. Y","PeriodicalId":49079,"journal":{"name":"Eco Mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research","volume":"29 1","pages":"64-69"},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90257267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Drage, W. Rice, Z. Miller, Jennifer N. Newton, Ashley D. D'Antonio, Peter Newman, B. D. Taff
{"title":"Mapping spatial dimensions of Wilderness recreation outcomes: a study of overnight users","authors":"E. Drage, W. Rice, Z. Miller, Jennifer N. Newton, Ashley D. D'Antonio, Peter Newman, B. D. Taff","doi":"10.1553/eco.mont-13-1s31","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-13-1s31","url":null,"abstract":"Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) is a popular mountain recreation destination which, like many National Park Service (NPS) units, has experienced a significant increase in visitation in recent years, with total visits increasing by 27% between 2014 and 2017 (NPS 2020). Particularly popular within GRTE is the String and Leigh Lakes (SLL) area, which is a favoured alpine destination for numerous day-use recreation activities and also an important starting point for backcountry and overnight recreational users within GRTE’s Recommended Wilderness. To better understand the visitor experience of overnight backcountry recreationists in the SLL area, data were collected using novel public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) during the summer of 2018. PPGIS data were used to identify the locations in which overnight recreationists experienced positive and negative recreation outcomes. Results indicate that they experience more positive outcomes within the Recommended Wilderness, away from high-density, trailhead-proximate areas outside the Recommended Wilderness. Findings also indicate that overnight users experience crowding and conflict more outside of the Recommended Wilderness than elsewhere on their backcountry trip. While this may seem intuitive, these are some of the first empirical results spatially contextualizing backcountry visitor outcomes in a popular national park. The findings thus provide managers with a visitor experience baseline that can be monitored and adaptively managed in the future.","PeriodicalId":49079,"journal":{"name":"Eco Mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81183266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}