Data from: Influences of ski-runs, meadow management and climate on the occupancy of reptiles and amphibians in a high-altitude environment of Italy

Alpine ecosystems harbour a rich and highly-specialized biodiversity which
is particularly susceptible to anthropogenic disturbances such as habitat
loss and fragmentation as well as to climate change. Combined with other
forms of land-use conversion, construction and maintenance of ski resorts
can have severe consequences on alpine biodiversity. In this study, we
show how one amphibian and two reptile species, namely Rana temporaria,
Zootoca vivipara and Vipera berus, respond to such impacts by means of a
multi-season occupancy analysis. We found all three species both in and
outside ski-runs, showing that these habitats do not necessarily preclude
their occurrence. Contrarily, this is influenced more by microhabitat
availability, such as ground vegetation, humid areas, and rock cover,
rather than by macro-characteristics like elevation or habitat type.
Moreover, we found a climatic influence on the year-to-year occupancy
change of the species, with activity-months conditions being more relevant
than overwintering ones. Our results demonstrate how, in the specific case
of reptiles and amphibians, ski resorts do not necessarily limit species’
occurrence and that a mild series of management actions might secure the
species’ persistence in the area.