What has changed in Mount Elbrus’ landscape since the first expedition two centuries ago? An in situ assessment along the same route reveals symptoms of the shifting baseline syndrome
摘要
Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe; its height is 5642 m. The first ascent up to the peak took place in 1829. We repeated the original route aiming at artifacts search and environmental changes observation. We found that overgrazing and deforestation resulted in the extermination of wildlife on the slopes. That remains unnoticed due to the shifting baseline syndrome: the change in the accepted environmental norms along with human generations change. In the past, the slopes were characterized as open areas, but they still contained a portion of arboreal vegetation, the game animals were abundant; nowadays, an open area is a habitat reminding a shortcut lawn. Conservation and restoration measures are neither implemented nor planned. Climbing popularity draws attention away from environmental problems.