Monitoring biodiversity is crucial for comprehending the status and distribution of species, thereby aiding in the management and conservation of protected areas. Mal & aacute; Fatra National Park, renowned in Slovakia for its natural richness and environmental diversity, has undergone biodiversity monitoring for decades, with data consolidated in the Comprehensive Information and Monitoring System. This study assesses mapping efforts across various taxonomic groups within the park and highlights characteristics of adequately mapped groups. It presents heat maps depicting biodiversity hotspots generated through QGIS, analysing 48,995 observations and 1,558 mapped plant and animal species by the end of 2022. Findings indicate that plants represent the most mapped organism group, while animals record the highest number of observations. Mapping levels vary significantly across taxonomic groups, with Tracheophyta, Aves and Mammalia relatively well-mapped, contrasting with poorly mapped groups such as Bryophyta and Invertebrata. Geographically, Rozsutec and Such & yacute; Nature Reserves are the best-mapped areas, with Rozsutec identified as a significant hotspot. These results underscore the necessity for intensified mapping efforts to enhance understanding of the area's biodiversity and species distribution.
Protected Natural Areas (PNAs) play a crucial role in driving rural and local development within their regions. Certain PNAs feature iconic mountain peaks that serve as major attractions for mountaineering tourism. While economic impact stands as a fundamental component within the triad of sustainable tourism, and mountaineering significantly propels economic growth in destination areas, a noteworthy gap exists in the available data concerning the impact and determinants of spending within this context. This study, conducted among mountaineering visitors in PNAs, aims to analyse the distribution of spending overall and by mountain peak and to identify the determinants influencing direct spending. The research involved a sample of 562 mountaineers who ascended five Spanish peaks during the summer of 2020. The investigation revealed an average expenditure of approximately & euro;10.62 per mountaineer. Logistics regression identified a total of six variables influencing spending. Remarkably, the research revealed overcrowding as a substantial predictor of mountaineering expenditure; specifically, the perception of overcrowding correlated with decreased spending. Understanding how visitors perceive and react to crowded environments is crucial for devising strategies that foster local economies and protect the natural environment of these destinations. The study's findings are relevant to mountaineering economic management in PNAs.
