scholarly journals An Evaluation of the Impact of Hiking Tourism on the Ecological Status of Alpine Lakes—A Case Study of the Valley of Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich in the Tatra Mountains

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2963
Author(s):  
Adam Senetra ◽  
Piotr Dynowski ◽  
Iwona Cieślak ◽  
Anna Źróbek-Sokolnik

Eutrophication is one of the major threats to the quality of water in high mountain lakes. The inflow of elements having biological origin may significantly aggravate the ecological status of those ecosystems. For this reason, the aim of this study was to map and assess the impact of anthropogenic pressure on alpine lakes in the valley of Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich (known in English as the Valley of Five Polish Lakes) in the Tatra National Park in Poland. The effects of tourism and easy access to alpine lakes on changes in their ecological status were determined. Tourist trails were evaluated based on the difficulty of access to the water surface of analyzed alpine lakes, with a method developed for assessing anthropogenic pressure on aquatic ecosystems. The method, deployed for the first time in 2019, was modified and adapted to the local environmental conditions in the research area. The results of this study indicate that tourism pressure contributes to the growth of submerged vegetation in alpine lakes. The presence of aquatic plants (including vascular plants) shows ecosystem response to water enrichment with biogenic substances. The present findings were used to formulate practical recommendations and propose modifications to the evaluated hiking trails. The research method developed in the study can support analysis and control of tourist traffic, thus reducing anthropogenic pressure on alpine lakes in national parks located in mountain areas.

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Dynowski ◽  
Adam Senetra ◽  
Anna Źróbek-Sokolnik ◽  
Jacek Kozłowski

Tourism pressure on protected areas with attractive landscapes leads to environmental modifications. Eutrophication poses the main threat to the quality of water in alpine lakes. Even small inflows of biogenic elements can disrupt the ecological balance of these ecosystems. The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that recreational activities and easy access to alpine lakes contribute to changes in their ecological status. This hypothesis was verified by analyzing the presence of hydromacrophytes in two lakes of the Tatra National Park (Poland). The analysis was carried out along segments of hiking trails which were evaluated for accessibility to the studied lakes. Underwater surveys were carried out during scuba diving expeditions in 2012–2016. Submerged vegetation was evaluated in both lakes. This is the first study in Poland and one of the few projects in the world to have relied on such extensive support from scuba divers to generate highly accurate measurements. The study demonstrated that lake bottoms were extensively covered by Potamogeton friesii in the vicinity of trail segments with easy access to lakes. Our results show that tourism pressure contributes to the growth of aquatic vegetation in some areas of alpine lakes. We relied on our findings to propose several modifications to the routes of the evaluated tourist trails to minimize the impact of anthropogenic pressure on the studied lakes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 3913
Author(s):  
Claudia Notarnicola

The quantification of snow cover changes and of the related water resources in mountain areas has a key role for understanding the impact on several sectors such as ecosystem services, tourism and energy production. By using NASA-Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images from 2000 to 2018, this study analyzes changes in snow cover in the High Mountain Asia region and compares them with global mountain areas. Globally, snow cover extent and duration are declining with significant trends in around 78% of mountain areas, and the High Mountain Asia region follows similar trends in around 86% of the areas. As an example, Shaluli Shan area in China shows significant negative trends for both snow cover extent and duration, with −11.4% (confidence interval: −17.7%, −5.5%) and −47.3 days (confidence interval: −70.4 days, −24.4 days) at elevations >5500 m a.s.l. respectively. In spring, an earlier snowmelt of −13.5 days (confidence interval: −24.3 days, −2.0 days) in 4000–5500 m a.s.l. is detected. On the other side, Tien Shan area shows an earlier snow onset of −28.8 days (confidence interval: −44.3 days, −8.2 days) between 2500 and 4000 m a.s.l., governed by decreasing temperature and increasing snowfall. In the current analysis, the Tibetan Plateau shows no significant changes. Regarding water resources, by using Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data it was found that around 50% of areas in the High Mountain Asia region and 30% at global level are suffering from significant negative temporal trends of total water storage (including groundwater, soil moisture, surface water, snow, and ice) in the period 2002–2015. In the High Mountain Asia region, this negative trend involves around 54% of the areas during spring period, while at a global level this percentage lies between 25% and 30% for all seasons. Positive trends for water storage are detected in a maximum 10% of the areas in High Mountain Asia region and in around 20% of the areas at global level. Overall snow mass changes determine a significant contribution to the total water storage changes up to 30% of the areas in winter and spring time over 2002–2015.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (12(81)) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
Р. Калов ◽  
Т. Тогузаев

The growing interest in mountainous areas is accompanied by the expansion of the process of involving unique landscapes in economic circulation, which often leads to a disruption of the natural balance. Consequently, the need for a change in the inertial paradigm, reorientation of the development of society to the path of constructing a sustainable system of environmental management is becoming more acute. This idea can be realized through the creation of ecological and economic zones, which imply the implementation of the concept of landscape organization and proportionality on the basis of the conservation and functionality of mountain landscapes. Background. The main purpose of the article is to actualize the urgent need to find a compromise between the market aspirations of various categories of nature users and the system of protected areas in the mountainous zone of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR). To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: identification of the peculiarities of mountain valley landscapes in relation to the concepts of "threshold" and "capacity"; analysis of the possibilities of ecological optimization of the use of functional landscapes; Евразийский Союз Ученых (ЕСУ) # 12(81), 2020                                                                  5 search for a compromise option for co-development of the main types of landscapes that are of practical importance. Methods. In accordance with the intended goal and tasks, the authors relied on the following research methods: using the cartographic method, the centers of the impact of large hazardous natural processes on functional landscapes were considered and their paragenetic connections with adjacent fragments of geosystems were analyzed; the route method made it possible to trace the indicative connections between disturbed geo-complexes and anthropogenic pressure on the mountain-valley complexes Bashil - Chegem section of the high-mountain reserve; based on the predictive method, it is recommended to impose an additional tourist and recreational function on mountain-meadow landscapes; on the basis of an experimental method, the achievement of a critical level of sparseness and death of ageold pines within the forest park landscapes of the Elbrus region was confirmed. This publication is based on theoretical and empirical studies of Russian and foreign scientists: Isachenko A.G., Kochurova B.I., Beruchashvili N.L., supplemented by the specification of the territory under consideration.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jorge Tobajas ◽  
Francisco Guil ◽  
Antoni Margalida

Summary Recreational activities may have negative effects on wildlife, but there are very few studies specifically on the effects of free-flight activities (i.e., hang-gliders, paragliders and their powered derivatives) on wildlife. We review the existing scientific studies on this issue in order to identify the gaps in knowledge at the taxonomic-group level in order to develop guidelines to minimize the impacts of recreational free-flight on wildlife. We found that studies mainly concerned the effects on four ungulate species (chamois, red deer, roe deer and Alpine ibex) and, to a lesser extent, on raptors such as the golden eagle and two vulture species (bearded vulture and cinereous vulture). The studies have generally been carried out in high mountain areas (e.g., the European Alps). Data show that free-flight activities create disturbances and have negative effects on wildlife, resulting in increased energy expenditure, reduction of feeding time, abandonment of feeding areas, reduced breeding output, loss of body condition, increased predation risk and harm from flight accidents. However, the lack of studies on many species and areas, along with the small number of long-term studies, prevents proper assessment of the current situation regarding the impact of this activity on wildlife. We provide recommendations to improve the regulation of this activity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlena Kycko ◽  
Bogdan Zagajewski ◽  
Anna Kozłowska

Abstract The goal of the paper is a presentation of field remote sensing methods for the analysis of the trampled plants of a highly protected mountain meadow ecosystem (M&B UNESCO Reserve and one of the most important Polish National Parks). The research area covers a core part of the Western Tatras - the Gąsienicowa Valley and Kasprowy Wierch summit, which are among the most visited destinations of the Polish Tatras. The research method is based on field hyperspectral measurements, using the ASD FieldSpec 3 spectrometer, on the dominant plant species of alpine swards. Sampling sites were located on trampled areas (next to trails) and reference plots, with the same species, but located more than 10 m from the trail (where the probability of trampling was very low, but the same composition of analysed plants). In each case, homogenous plots with a domination of one plant species were investigated. Based on the hyperspectral measurements, spectral characteristics as well as vegetation indices were analysed with the ANOVA statistical test. This indicated a varied resistance to trampling of the studied plant species. The analysis of vegetation indices enabled the selection of those groups which are the most useful for research into mountain vegetation condition: the broadband greenness group; the narrowband greenness group, measuring chlorophyll content and cell structure; and the canopy water content group. The results of the analyses show that vegetation of the High Tatras is characterised by optimal ranges of remote sensing indices. Only plants located nearest to the trails were in a worse condition (chlorophyll and water content was lower for the reference targets). These differences are statistically significant, but the measured values indicate a good condition of vegetation along trampled trails, within the range of optimum plant characteristics.


Author(s):  
Х.О. Чотчаев ◽  
О.Г. Бурдзиева ◽  
В.Б. Заалишвили

Научно обоснованный прогноз геоэкологической эволюции территорий на основе анализа причинно-следственной зависимости эндогенных и экзогенных процессов является актуальной задачей обеспечения безопасности рекреантов и планирования долгосрочного развития высокогорных туристско-рекреационных комплексов. Цель исследований – долгосрочной прогноз геоэкологической эволюции территории на основе факторов геодинамического развития и их признаков в геофизических полях. Для достижения поставленной цели решались следующие задачи: анализ современных представлений о влиянии эндогенных геодинамических процессов на изменения природной среды горных территорий и определение геодинамической концепции геоэкологической зависимости; методологическое обоснование проявлений геофизических полей-индикаторов тектономагматических процессов и выбор методов их исследования, выделение зон активных разломов и неотектонических проявлений. Использованы материалы исследований методами обменных волн землетрясений, гравимагнитометрии, микросейсмического зондирования, электротомографии, преломленных сейсмических волн, геолокации. В качестве результатов исследований делается вывод, что геоэкологические изменения вызваны неотектоникой трещинного типа в приледниковых зонах активных глубинных разломов из-за неравномерного воздымания отдельных участков территории при горообразовании, обуславливающего напряженно-деформированное состояние среды, концентрацию гравитационной энергии и последующее разрушение коренных пород приледниковых зон. Установлено, что механические, физические и геохимические поля, как неотъемлемые признаки-индикаторы проявлений и основа методологических обоснований исследований геодинамических процессов, оказывают долговременное влияние на породы на всех уровнях породообразования, формируя современную кору выветривания, и обуславливая интенсивное накопление четвертичных отложений. Определен режим среднестатической геоэкологической эволюции территории, который определяется соотношением скоростей прироста гор и темпов денудации. Делается вывод, что комплекс сопутствующих признаков – индикаторов представляют собой абиотические факторы геоэкологической среды, особого биотопа, где зарождается определенная популяция биоценоза с эндемической зависимостью к этим условиям A scientifically established forecast of the geoecological evolution of areas based on the analysis of the causal relationship of endogenous and exogenous processes is a relevant task of ensuring the safety of vacationers and planning the long-term development of high-mountain tourist and recreational complexes. Aim. The aim of the research is a long-term forecast of the geoecological evolution of the area based on the factors of geodynamic development and their signs in geophysical fields. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: analysis of modern ideas about the impact of endogenous geodynamic processes on changes in the natural environment of mountain areas and the definition of the geodynamic concept of geoecological dependence; methodological substantiation of the manifestations of geophysical fields-indicators of tectonomagmatic processes and the choice of methods for their study, identification of zones of active faults and neotectonic manifestations. Methods. Materials of research by methods of converted waves of earthquakes, gravimagnetometry, microseismic sounding, electro-tomography, refracted seismic waves, geolocation were used. Results. As a result of the research, it is concluded that geoecological changes are caused by fracture neotectonics in the periglacial zones of active deep faults due to uneven uplift of certain parts of the territory during mountain building, which causes the stress-strain state of the environment, the concentration of gravitational energy and the subsequent destruction of the bedrock of the periglacial zones. It has been determined that mechanical, physical and geochemical fields, as integral indicators of manifestations and the basis of methodological substantiation of studies of geodynamic processes, have a long-term effect on rocks at all levels of rockforming, creating the modern weathering crust, and causing an intensive accumulation of Quaternary sediments. The mode of average static geoecological evolution of the area is defined. It is determined by the ratio of the growth rates of mountains and the rates of denudation. One can draw a conclusion that the complex of accompanying signs-indicators is abiotic factors of geoecological environment, a special biotope, where a certain population of biocenosis with endemic dependence to these conditions arises


2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 31301
Author(s):  
Nabil Chakhchaoui ◽  
Rida Farhan ◽  
Meriem Boutaldat ◽  
Marwane Rouway ◽  
Adil Eddiai ◽  
...  

Novel textiles have received a lot of attention from researchers in the last decade due to some of their unique features. The introduction of intelligent materials into textile structures offers an opportunity to develop multifunctional textiles, such as sensing, reacting, conducting electricity and performing energy conversion operations. In this research work nanocomposite-based highly piezoelectric and electroactive β-phase new textile has been developed using the pad-dry-cure method. The deposition of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) − carbon nanofillers (CNF) − tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), Si(OCH2CH3)4 was acquired on a treated textile substrate using coating technique followed by evaporation to transform the passive (non-functional) textile into a dynamic textile with an enhanced piezoelectric β-phase. The aim of the study is the investigation of the impact the coating of textile via piezoelectric nanocomposites based PVDF-CNF (by optimizing piezoelectric crystalline phase). The chemical composition of CT/PVDF-CNC-TEOS textile was detected by qualitative elemental analysis (SEM/EDX). The added of 0.5% of CNF during the process provides material textiles with a piezoelectric β-phase of up to 50% has been measured by FTIR experiments. These results indicated that CNF has high efficiency in transforming the phase α introduced in the unloaded PVDF, to the β-phase in the case of nanocomposites. Consequently, this fabricated new textile exhibits glorious piezoelectric β-phase even with relatively low coating content of PVDF-CNF-TEOS. The study demonstrates that the pad-dry-cure method can potentially be used for the development of piezoelectric nanocomposite-coated wearable new textiles for sensors and energy harvesting applications. We believe that our study may inspire the research area for future advanced applications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Pratima Pandey ◽  
S. Nawaz Ali ◽  
Vikram Sharma ◽  
Prashant K. Champati Ray

Thermokarst (Thaw) lakes are landforms found in topographic depressions created by thawing ground ice in permafrost zones. They play an important role in the regulation of climatic functions. These lakes are a manifestation of warming surface temperatures that accelerates the ice-rich permafrost to degrade by creating marshy hollows/ponds. In the current global warming scenario, the thermokarst lakes in the high mountain regions (Himalaya) are expected to grow further. This accelerate permafrost thawing which will affect the carbon cycle, hydrology and local ecosystems. This phenomenon has attracted huge scientific attention because it has led to a rapid mass change of glaciers in the region, including extensive changes occurring on peri-glacial environments. The most striking fact is the release of an enormous amount of greenhouse gases, including methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide that is locked in these lakes. The present study delves into the thermokarst lakes in the upper reaches of Chandra Valley and Western Himalaya. The study also aims at designating the impact of their changes on the ecosystem, particularly their influence on the atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (90) ◽  
pp. 92-97
Author(s):  
I.T. Slusar ◽  
V.A. Serbenyuk ◽  
A.N. Gera ◽  
A.P. Solyanik ◽  
A.A. Tarasenko

Research on the impact of the introduction of micro fertilizers and growth promoters on a background of mineral fertilizer and without N90R45К120 spent on old peat in shallow carbonate floodplain r.Supiy, Yahotyn Kyiv region. Power peat horizon about 60-70 cm, 7,4-7,6 pH of the aqueous extract, stupas schedule 56-60%, density 0,49-0,52 assembly soil, total nitrogen content (%) - 1.9; gross forms of phosphorus - 0,4, potassium 0.2, 20% lime. In experiments studying biological rehoplant, radustym, Biolan, emistim, Jets, humisol, plantafol, radyfarm and micronutrients: copper, boric acid, manganese sulphate, zinc sulphate, potassium humates. Treatment drugs conducted in the spring by spraying mixtures. Space research area of 60 m2, three-time repetition. It is established that the use of growth stimulants and micronutrients in the background N90R45К120 provided the highest yield mixtures of years, against making BIOLan - 9.9 t / ha Radyfarmu - 9.6 t / ha Radostymu 9.3 t / ha dry weight. In areas for making other preparations were intermediate yield growth rates - 0.5 - 2.0 t / ha dry weight. Also good gains herbage yields obtained by making all kinds of micronutrients and growth stimulants in the background without making makrodobryv which was within 5.3 - 6.9 t / ha to control without fertilization - 4.5 t / ha dry weight. In deep peat copper fertilizer (25 kg / ha of copper sulphate or 5 kg / ha pirytnoho cinders) in all zones should be making every 3-4 years, and zinc, cobalt and molybdenum advisable to make time for the growing season, spring, by foliar application in such numbers: ammonium molibdenovokyslyy - 0.3 kg / ha; cobalt sulfate - 3 kg / ha zinc sulphate 0.5 kg / ha or placers these salts should be mixed with major fertilizer.


Author(s):  
Irina Ulzetueva ◽  
Bair Gomboev ◽  
Daba Zhamyanov ◽  
Valentin Batomunkuev ◽  
Zorikto Banzaraktsaev

The integrated assessment of the ecological state of the main rivers of the lake Baikal basin - Verkhnyaya Angara, Tyya, Barguzin, Selenga, Snezhnaya, Bolshaya Rechka, Khilok, Chikoy is based on the assessment of the variability of the basin system under the influence of two groups of indicators: 1) Direct (immediate) impact - the volume of water intake and wastewater discharge, water use and sequential water supply. Assessment of the impact on the state of the above-listed rivers basins from wastewater was performed using the algorithm proposed by A. Korolev et al. (2007). 2) Indirect (mediate) impact - indicators of areal and linear-network impacts on the catchment area. Based on the calculation of the integral anthropogenic pressure on the territory of the above-listed river basins, only the Selenga river experiences an “average” anthropogenic load. On the territory of most river basins, the anthropogenic load is “lowered” and “low”.


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