Above-Ground Biomass Production Of The Ski Piste Meadows In The Donovaly Ski Resort (Slovakia)

Winter management of ski pistes that include snowmaking and grooming results to prolonged snowmelt and delayed start of vegetation period. Aim of this study was to identify influence of winter management to dry above ground biomass production and yield of mesic meadows in the Zahradky ski piste of Donovaly ski resort (Inner Western Carpathians; temperate zone). To identify this influence, the dry weight of above-ground biomass was identified at the beginning and at the end of June 2015 and 2016, at 10 x 1 m(2) per one plot on the piste and per one control plot beside the piste. The production of biomass on the piste was significantly lower at the beginning of June while at the end of June the difference was not statistically proved. The dry biomass yield on the piste was at the beginning of June 30% lower than biomass yield on the control plot, but at the end of June was biomass yield on the piste 11% higher. The delayed vegetation development of mesic meadows used for winter sports finally did not result in lower biomass production and yield at the end of June.