Origin of the impact of rock climbing on cliff ecosystems: A guide to evidence-based conservation management to regulate climbing DOI Open Access
Felipe Morales‐Armijo, Andrea Sobrevilla‐Covarrubias, Eduardo Estrada‐Castillón

et al.

Published: May 6, 2024

1. Cliff ecosystems provide refuge to 35-66% of the world’s endemic plants. However, they face growing threats from climbing. Evidence suggests that untouched cliffs harbor approximately twice plant richness compared climbed cliffs, with increasing impact as climbing intensity increases. Unfortunately, origin and extent has not been assessed so far. 2. We recorded cliff vascular plants lichens at protected natural area El Potrero Chico (Mexico) before after establishment new routes. Subsequently, we re-recorded routes various time-points openings while controlling number ascents. Additionally, examined whether original vegetation abundance influences impact, surroundings were also affected. 3. found exerted strongest negative effects on plants, reducing species by 38%, subsequent climbers’ ascents generated a minimal richness. Worryingly, route opening affected only in itself, but decreased 60.6% within bolted routes, whereas it rapidly 42.3% surrounding area. this depended cliffs. Lichen cover showed gradual decrease, indicating cliff-dwelling are 4. Synthesis applications: Given almost non-existent regulation outdoor activities most countries, urge implementation conservation management protocol defines clear strategies regulate preserve pristine On narrow endemic, rare, or threatened species, propose banning areas. lacking unique dynamic actions should be implemented, setting maximum can established, defining Limits Acceptable Change The proposed help halt loss biodiversity safeguard ecosystems.

Language: Английский

Special Issue: 'Ecology, evolution and conservation of cliff flora' DOI Creative Commons
Martí March‐Salas, Marı́a B. Garcı́a, Isaac H. Lichter‐Marck

et al.

Basic and Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Climbing route development affects cliff vascular plants more than subsequent climbing: A guide to evidence‐based conservation management to regulate climbing DOI Creative Commons
Felipe Morales‐Armijo, Andrea Sobrevilla‐Covarrubias, Eduardo Estrada‐Castillón

et al.

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 24, 2024

Abstract Cliff ecosystems provide refuge to 35%–66% of the world's endemic plants. However, they face growing threats from sport climbing. Evidence suggests that unclimbed cliffs harbour approximately twice plant richness compared with climbed cliffs, increasing impact as climbing intensity increases. Unfortunately, it remains unknown whether on cliff vegetation originates development (opening) routes or temporal changes resulting subsequent We recorded vascular plants and lichens at protected natural area El Potrero Chico (Mexico) before after new routes. Subsequently, we re‐recorded sequential timepoints 10, 20, 30 ascents. Additionally, examined abundance influences extent surroundings were also affected. found opening exerted strongest negative effects plants, reducing species by 38%, while ascents generated a minimal impact. Worryingly, route affected not only in itself but After ascents, decreased 60.6% within bolted routes, whereas 42.3% surroundings. this depended original abundance. Lichen cover showed gradual decrease, indicating cliff‐dwelling are Synthesis applications : Given almost non‐existent regulation outdoor activities most countries, urge implementation conservation management protocol defines clear strategies regulate preserve pristine cliffs. On yet narrow endemic, rare, threatened species, propose banning establishment areas. lacking dynamic actions should be implemented, such setting maximum number can established defining limits acceptable change The proposed help halt loss unique biodiversity safeguard ecosystems.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Origin of the impact of rock climbing on cliff ecosystems: A guide to evidence-based conservation management to regulate climbing DOI Open Access
Felipe Morales‐Armijo, Andrea Sobrevilla‐Covarrubias, Eduardo Estrada‐Castillón

et al.

Published: May 6, 2024

1. Cliff ecosystems provide refuge to 35-66% of the world’s endemic plants. However, they face growing threats from climbing. Evidence suggests that untouched cliffs harbor approximately twice plant richness compared climbed cliffs, with increasing impact as climbing intensity increases. Unfortunately, origin and extent has not been assessed so far. 2. We recorded cliff vascular plants lichens at protected natural area El Potrero Chico (Mexico) before after establishment new routes. Subsequently, we re-recorded routes various time-points openings while controlling number ascents. Additionally, examined whether original vegetation abundance influences impact, surroundings were also affected. 3. found exerted strongest negative effects on plants, reducing species by 38%, subsequent climbers’ ascents generated a minimal richness. Worryingly, route opening affected only in itself, but decreased 60.6% within bolted routes, whereas it rapidly 42.3% surrounding area. this depended cliffs. Lichen cover showed gradual decrease, indicating cliff-dwelling are 4. Synthesis applications: Given almost non-existent regulation outdoor activities most countries, urge implementation conservation management protocol defines clear strategies regulate preserve pristine On narrow endemic, rare, or threatened species, propose banning areas. lacking unique dynamic actions should be implemented, setting maximum can established, defining Limits Acceptable Change The proposed help halt loss biodiversity safeguard ecosystems.

Language: Английский

Citations

1