@misc{9249087,
  abstract     = {{During recent years the interest in visits to the Swedish alpine regions have increased, and many regions have experienced a trend towards a higher number of sport events. An increasing interest in nature tourism can bring positive effects on wellbeing and health as well as increasing knowledge and consideration for the environment. Though, all effects are not positive since nature-based activities imply impacts on nature. Relatively few studies on wear from outdoor activities and nature tourism in the Swedish alpine regions exist today, and a knowledge gap is mentioned directly related to the effects on nature from sport events. 
This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a mountain marathon on ground vegetation in the Swedish alpine region using field vegetation inventory and UAV imagery. UAV imagery is a promising method for studying detailed patterns over a large area. Classified maps at study sites along the marathon trail provided a good overview of the overall impact and the distribution of vegetation classes. No clear difference was possible to visualize from before to after the event, however a new path created from the event was captured by the classification. Previous studies aligning with this finding have found that an increase in use on already established trails does not have a large impact, while initial use on a previously undisturbed site causes greater impact.
The field inventory showed an increase in bare ground coverage from before to after the event, while the classes for grass and shrub decreased. These changes could not be identified by the classification, indicating it is not detailed enough to capture relatively small changes found in the field inventory. An evaluation of the species composition agreed with the change in vegetation class coverage and at the same time provided more detailed information about vegetation in relation to wear. The change took place at both the study sites at the marathon trail and reference sites, indicating no substantial impact of the event on the study sites more than other sources of impact like other visitors.
Further studies are needed to evaluate the complex problem of wear related to human behavior and multiple environmental factors. This study assessed short-term effects, while long-term effects are of importance to fully understand the impact of a sport event on ground vegetation.}},
  author       = {{Osterman, Anna}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Student thesis series INES}},
  title        = {{Using UAV imagery to evaluate the effects of sport events on ground vegetation in the Swedish mountains}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}