SEDLÁK, Andrej: Impacts of trampling on vegetation in the Belianske and High Tatras [dissertation]. Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra. Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics; Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies. Supervisor: Mgr. Veronika Piscová, PhD. Degree of professional qualification: PhD. Nitra: FPV UKF, 2025, 114 p.
Abstract:
In recent decades, the topic of recreation in protected areas has become increasingly important. After the Covid pandemic, as well as due to climate change, scientific articles have increasingly discussed the topic of the growing number of tourists in the colder alpine environment, which tourists seek as a place suitable for strengthening their health and gaining new experiences. Therefore, the influences and impacts of hiking are mainly investigated. Almost no attention is paid to this topic in Slovakia. That is why we decided to carry out an “experiment” of experimental trampling of vegetation. When choosing a protected area, we finally chose the Belianske Tatras, as it is an area closed to tourists since 1978 due to the destruction of the area by a massive number of tourists. In 1993, one trail was made accessible in the area as a one-way trail, this is the trail leading from Ždiar, through Monkova dolina and Široké sedlo, to Kopské sedlo. Since 2008, this trail has been registered as a two-way educational trail. Since in recent years there has been talk about the topic of reopening the Belianske Tatras to tourists, carrying out experimental trampling is more than necessary. In 2008, the experimental trampling research was carried out by a trainer in three selected communities that occur in the vicinity of the accessible trail. However, the research blocks were established in places near the trail that had not been attacked by trampling until then. The aim of this dissertation was to repeat the experimental trampling on the same research blocks, but in regenerated communities. This gave us valuable information on whether the same original and regenerated communities react to trampling in the same way. Our research showed differences. We found that although regenerated communities are more resistant to trampling, this is at the expense of the extinction of some species. Particularly valuable is the result of how mosses and lichens react to trampling. In these, we were the second in the world to confirm a delayed response to trampling.