eco.mont – Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management, Vol. 17 / No. 1

The seasonal tropical rainforests in karst regions of southwestern China are well known for their high biodiversity and rich array of endemic species. However, changes in the woody floristic composition and diversity during forest succession remain unclear. In this study, we used the space-for-time substitution method to analyse the floristic composition and diversity of woody plants across three successional stages (young secondary forests, old secondary forests and primary forests). Our results indicated significant differences in species composition among the various successional stages, with species richness peaking in the old secondary forests. Additionally, as succession progresses, the proportion of the relative importance values of dominant species in the community gradually decreases compared to the total importance values. In the β-diversity, the species richness, Simpson index and Shannon–Wiener index all reached an apex in the old secondary forest, whereas the Pielou evenness index gradually increased over time, reaching its maximum in the PF. The β-diversity analysis suggested that species turnover occurred during succession, with no significant similarity between communities at different stages. This study demonstrated that the floristic composition and diversity of woody plants underwent continuous changes as succession progressed in karst forests. Anthropogenic disturbances and competitive exclusion may co-regulate the floristic composition and diversity at different forest stages in mountainous karst areas.

Keywords: karst mountains, seasonal rainforest, succession, floristic composition, species diversity

Newts are in sharp decline in many regions. They have conservation value; thus, their presence is important in natural protected areas. The Iron Gates Natural Park (IGNP) in the Danube Gorge, Romania, is one protected area where, despite its rich general biodiversity, there are only a few old records of newts. However, several newt species are still present in the park. Between 2018 and 2024, we recorded three newt species in 15 distribution points in IGNP: Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris and Ichthyosaura alpestris. The most widespread species was L. vulgaris. Our data prove that newts are still present in the region, especially in isolated habitats in cold wet valleys, and on mountains or hilltops. Nevertheless, newts remain rare within IGNP in the Danube Gorge area. With few exceptions, they are represented by a small number of individuals restricted to small-size habitats in a narrow area of the park. Although the region is considered a hotspot of research on amphibians, our data indicates how little is known about its fauna.

Keywords: amphibians, diversity, habitats, protected area, protected species

Economic, social and technological changes, as well as a global epidemic, have altered people’s needs and influenced travel cultures, shifting tourism from mass forms to alternative, nature-based ones, thereby stimulating economic development. The growing popularity of outdoor recreation activities highlights the need to balance conservation and use in protected areas. This study focuses on trail planning in the Kaçkar Mountains National Park, an area ideal for outdoor activities but threatened by excessive and unplanned use. The Park aims to guide visitors safely along ap-propriate routes, ensuring access to nature while maintaining a balance between resource use and protection. The research for this study included the selection of 10 trails, expert interviews, field studies, digitization of inventory and routes, assess-ment of difficulty using AHP, theming of routes, and development of management strategies. Using the AHP method to grade trail difficulty resulted in four low-, four medium- and two high-difficulty paths, which were divided into four themes (Glacial Age, Wild, Victory Climbing, Cloud Sea). Safety problems and management defi-ciencies of the routes were identified, route maps were prepared, and suggestions for the management of the routes were developed.

Keywords: Trail planning, protected areas, nature-based tourism

Various forms of local opposition have marked the history of the establishment of the Golfo di Orosei and Gennargentu National Park (GOGNP), resulting in a gov-ernance vacuum which makes it, de facto, a paper park. Despite this, both public and private bodies have multiplied initiatives aimed at enhancing local heritage and promoting tourism within the GOGNP territory. The Donnortei wildlife oasis provides a compelling case study, showcasing economic diversification within conservation practices on private land. Here, the intersection of traditional and innovative animal husbandry practices with experiential tourism offerings highlights the region’s evolv-ing landscape of sustainable development strategies in environmentally sensitive areas.

Keywords: National Park, paper park, private conservation, Italy, Mediterranean mountains

The Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Nature Park (Parcopan) is one of two nature parks in Trentino (Italy) and hosts several sites of the Vanoi Ecomuseum, a non-bounded and participative form of museum that also includes unprotected areas. In this paper we explore the integration of ecomuseums into protected areas through the case of the Parcopan. We focus especially on the role of the Vanoi Ecomuseum in preserving and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage of this area, in par-ticular vertical land use and mobility within the historical landscape. We provide an overview of the Vanoi Ecomuseum’s activities, and highlight the use of ‘cylinders of mobility’ as an effective method to visualize and understand the vertical land use and seasonal movements of people that have historically characterized the Alpine economy. We argue that the integration of ecomuseums into nature parks represents a valuable approach to sustainable landscape management and tourism, especially when natural parks seek to draw on the endogenous potential of their cultural and natural heritage as well as on modern adaptations of traditional land use.

Keywords: nature park, vertical land use, heritage, Sustainable development, applied historical geography