The survey was conducted in June 2013 and August-September 2013 on the plots established earlier along the service road and cableway from the combined rail and motorway to the north-west cirques of the Aibga. In addition, in 2013 the territory of the media village, ski jumps and other infrastructure facilities of the JSC “Krasnaya Polyana” (“Gornaya Karusel”) ski complex were surveyed.

As mentioned for the previous monitoring years (2009-2012), the floodplain terrace of the Mzymta was totally destroyed as a result of the rail and motorway construction and the associated cenoses stopped to exist. In 2013 erosion processes were noted on the Aibga slopes above the combined rail and motorway, which will lead to landslide destruction of the forest biocenoses and changes in the biota on these areas. In the future, these areas may be colonized by Brauner’s rock lizard (Darevskia brauneri) and as a consequence some species will inevitably go extinct, including Caucasian parsley frog (Pelodytes caucasucus), Caucasus toad (Bufo verrucosissimus), Iranian long-legged wood frog (Rana macrocnemis) and Shelkovnikov’s tree frog (Hyla arborea shelkownikowi).

In the second construction stage in 2010-2011 it was only Derjugin’s lizard included in Krasnodar kray Red Book that was noted on the edges of the remaining forest. In 2012 the light regime of the area changed and this contributed to a local increase in the species population. The construction of the media village, in the course of which all the forest on the construction site was eliminated, resulted in extinction of all herpetofauna. In the lower part of the area 6 individuals of Derjugin’s lizard were recorded over 50 m route length in the beech forest ecotone in June 2013 and one Brauner’s rock lizard which migrated here in 2012. In the second half of 2013 neither amphibians, no reptiles were recorded near the media village.

Derjugin’s lizards occur in the ecotone of beech and deforested area, adjacent to the second-stage cable station. In 2011 a total of 8 lizards were censured on 100 m route in the spring and 16 in the autumn; 9 individuals were recorded in 2012, 10 individuals in June 2013, and 8 individuals in August 2013 .

In the spring of 2011 the area was recolonized by Iranian long-legged wood frog. In June 2013 separate individuals were noted here again.

On the area from the cableway upper station towards the Aibga ridge a total of 8 individuals of Alpine rock lizard (Darevskia alpina) were recorded over 100 m of the route in 2012. In 2013 the alpine vegetation in the western cirque and the upper passage between the Aibga summits was totally destroyed. It was predicted in 2012 that the population of this species, included in the IUCN Red List and Red Book of Krasnodar kray, would inevitably decline due to the progressing transformation and degradation of subalpine grasslands around the construction sites. The census in June 2012 showed a sharp decrease in the population and extinction of this species in some place. Single individuals are noted on the rocky crests with remaining vegetation.

In the second half of 2013 the situation was aggravated by continuing extinction of amphibians and reptiles in the ski-jump area. Only single Iranian long-legged wood frogs were observed around the site.

Thus, the species composition dynamics over the monitoring period is as follows: in 2008 a total of 6 amphibian species and 7 reptile species were recorded; 6 amphibian species and only 5 reptile species were recorded in 2009. In 2010 4 species of amphibians and 3 species of reptiles were recorded of those identified earlier and another species of reptiles was newly found due to monitoring activities started in subalpine belt. In the spring 2011, only 2 species of amphibians and 1 species of reptiles were recorded, which was due to the weather conditions of the monitoring season. The lake frog reappeared on the area, which was not recorded in 2010. In autumn 2011, 2 species of amphibians and 2 species of reptiles were recorded. The results of monitoring in the first half of 2013 show that the species composition remains the same, however, the population decreased drastically and the habitat area of the monitored species was reduced. In the second half of that year Iranian long-legged wood frog disappeared in the upper part of the monitored area due to transformation of landscape in the subalpine belt of Aibga.

The survey was conducted in June 2013 on the plots established earlier along the service road and cableway from the combined rail and motorway to the north-west cirques of the Aibga. In addition, in the first half of 2013, the territory of the media village, ski jumps and other infrastructure facilities of the JSC “Krasnaya Polyana” (“Gornaya Karusel”) ski complex were surveyed.

As mentioned for the previous monitoring years (2009-2012), the floodplain terrace of the Mzymta was totally destroyed as a result of the rail and motorway construction and the associated ecosystems stopped to exist. In 2013 erosion processes were noted on the Aibga slopes above the combined rail and motorway, which will lead to landslide destruction of the forest biocenoses and changes in the biota on these areas. In the future, these areas may be colonized by Brauner’s rock lizard (Darevskia brauneri) and as a consequence Caucasian parsley frog (Pelodytes caucasucus), Caucasus toad (Bufo verrucosissimus), Iranian long-legged wood frog (Rana macrocnemis) and Shelkovnikov’s tree frog (Hyla arborea shelkownikowi) will inevitably go extinct

In the second construction stage in 2010-2011 it was only Derjugin’s lizard included in Krasnodar kray Red Book that was noted on the edges of the remaining forest. In 2012 the light regime of the area changed and this contributed to a local increase in the species population. The construction of the media village, in the course of which all the forest on the construction site was eliminated, resulted in extinction of all herpetofauna. In the lower part of the area, 6 individuals of Derjugin’s lizard were recorded over 50 m route length in the beech forest ecotone in June 2013 and one Brauner’s rock lizard which migrated here in 2012

Derjugin’s lizards were noted in abundance in the ecotone of beech and deforested area, adjacent to the second-stage cable station. In 2011 a total of 8 lizards were censured on 100 m route length in the spring and 16 - in the autumn, in 2012 – 9 individuals and 10 individuals in June 2013.

In the spring of 2011 the area was recolonized by Iranian long-legged wood frog. In june 2013 separate individuals were noted here again.

On the area from the cableway upper station towards the Aibga ridge a total of 8 individuals of Alpine rock lizard (Darevskia alpina) were recorded over 100 m of the route in 2012. In 2013 the alpine vegetation in the western cirque and upper passage between the Aibga summits. In 2012 it was predicted that the population of this species included in the IUCN Red List and Red Book of Krasnodar kray would inevitably decline due to the progressing degradation of subalpine grasslands around the construction sites. The census in June 2012 showed a sharp decrease in the population and extinction of this species in some place. Single individuals are noted on the rocky crests with remaining vegetation

In 2013 the amphibians and reptiles became extinct in the area of ski jumps. Single individuals of Iranian long-legged wood frog were recorded around this area.

In 2008 a total of 6 species of amphibians and 7 species of reptiles were recorded. In 2009, 6 species of amphibians and only 5 species of reptiles were recorded. In 2010 4 species of amphibians and 3 species of reptiles were recorded of those identified earlier and another species of reptiles was newly found in connection with started monitoring activities in subalpine belt.

In the spring 2011, only 2 species of amphibians and 1 species of reptiles were recorded, which was due to the weather conditions of the monitoring season. Lake frog reappeared on the area, while it was not recorded in 2010. In autumn 2011, 2 species of amphibians and 2 species of reptiles were recorded. The results of monitoring in the first half of 2013 show that the species composition remains to be the same, however the population decreased drastically and the habitat area of the monitored species was reduced

The studies conducted in 2012 revealed significant transformation of mountain meadow cenoses and continuing reduction in forest landscapes of the JSC “Krasnaya Polyana” (“Gornaya Karusel”) ski complex.

The floodplain terrace of the Mzymta was totally destroyed and associated ecosystems stopped to exist. Besides landslides affecting the lower parts of the Aibga slopes will inevitably result in destruction of the slope forest areas. The ongoing processes will have a negative effect on forest species of amphibians and reptiles. Examining the monitoring data series for the species composition of amphibians and reptiles on “Krasnaya Polyana”, it is worth noting that a total of 8 species of amphibians and 7 species of reptiles were recorded in 2008. Results of monitoring during both six-months periods of 2012 again provided evidence that 1 species of amphibians (banded newt) 4 species of reptiles (blind worm, tesselated water snake, large-headed water snake, Caucasus viper).

A positive trend is seen for the status of the Derjugin’s lizard population which has adapted to the new conditions and proliferates and winter all right, at the same time, a negative trend occurs for the population of alpine rock lizard – the edificator for intact subalpine ecosystems.

Derjugin’s lizard has been fixing itself on ecotones of remaining beech forests, 10 individuals of this species were recorded over 50 m of the route.

On the area from the cableway upper station towards the Aibga ridge a total of 8 individuals of Derjugin’s lizards were recorded over 100 m of the route and in the second half of the year single individuals were noted. As predicted, the progressing degradation of subalpine meadows along the path and construction sites has resulted in a decrease in the population of this species included in the IUCN Red List and Red Book of Krasnodar kray.

In the first half of 2012 the second stage areas were colonized by Brauner’s rock lizard. In the spring of 2011 recolonization of the area by Iranian long-legged wood frog was observed. In June 2012 only separate individuals were recorded moving from the remaining forest. Due to the dry summer Iranian long-legged wood frog were not recorded in the second half of 2012.

The studies in May 2011 showed continuing reduction in forest landscape of the JSC “Krasnaya Polyana” (“Gornaya Karusel”) ski complex and start of transformation of subalpine meadows in the north-west cirques of the Aibga

In the floodplain part of the Mzymta, the construction of the combined motor and railway has resulted in destruction of the floodplain terrace and death of riverside cenoses рирусловые ценозы

In the second stage areas, extensive deforested space caused extinction of all representatives of herpetofauna. It is only on the forest edges that separate individuals of Derjugin’s lizards (Darevskia derjugini) are recorded. It should be noted that this species proliferated and wintered successfully. In the spring 2011 numerous young lizards (5 individuals per 50 m ) were recorded and in autumn 2011 it was 11 individuals per 50 m of the route.

Derjugin’s lizards were recorded in quantities on the ecotone of the beech forest and deforested areas, next tot the cableway station of the second stage. Here 8 lizards were recorded per 100 m of the route in the spring and 16- in the autumn.

In the spring of 2011 the area was recolonized by Iranian long-legged wood frog: 2 young individuals were observed along the brook with sedge vegetation. In the autumn, young individuals of this frog occurred here again. The species survival is contributed by the islands of forest and brooks with bushes crossing the territory of interest

Also, this area becomes colonized by lake frog, which is not typical of this altitudinal belt. Destruction of floodplain biotopes made surviving animals to move over deforested areas up the slope, where they colonize the brook by beech forest ecotones.

In 2011 the area around the upper station of the cableway was covered with snow, which is why the status of Alpine rock lizard was not feasible. In the autumn the census showed their stable population higher than the café, where 12 lizards per 100 m were recorded on the rock outcrops

In 2008 a total of 6 species of amphibians and 7 species of reptiles were recorded. In 2009 6 species of amphibians and only 5 species of reptiles were recorded. In 2010 4 species of amphibians and 3 species of reptiles were recorded of those identified earlier and another species of reptiles was added in connection with started monitoring activities in subalpine belt. In spring 2011 2 species of amphibians and 1 species of reptiles were recorded, which was due to weather conditions of the monitoring season. Lake frog reappeared on the area which was not recorded in 2010. In autumn 2011 2 species of amphibians and 2 species of reptiles were recorded

Thus the results of monitoring in 2011 is indicative of extinction of 1 species of amphibians (Banded newt ) and 4 species of reptiles (blind worm, tesselated water snake, large-headed water snake, Caucasus viper) from the JSC “Krasnaya Polyana” (“Gornaya Karusel”) ski complex. It is expected that reptiles such as smooth snake and Brauner’s rock lizard still occur there. A positive trend is observed for the population of Derjugin’s lizard which has not only adapted to the new conditions, but also proliferates and winter successfully on this area

The studies conducted in recolonization of May and September 2010 revealed significant transformation of landscapes of the JSC “Krasnaya Polyana” (“Gornaya Karusel”) ski complex. Additional monitoring plots were set up in subalpine belt not far from the upper station of the cableway

In the floodplain part of the Mzymta, the construction of the combined motor and railway has resulted in destruction of the floodplain terrace and death of related cenoses

On the second stage areas, extensive territories were deforested which caused extinction of all representatives of herpetofauna. It is only on the edges of remaining forest that separate individuals of Derjugin’s lizards (Darevskia derjugini) were recorded.

On the area around the upper station of the cableway a dense population of Alpine rock lizard (Darevskia alpina),was recorded – this species is included in the IUCN Red List and Red Book of Krasnodar kray (2007). On the plot of 25 sq m 8 individuals of the species were recorded

In 2008 6 species of amphibians and 7 species of reptiles were recorded. In 2009 6 species of amphibians and only 5 species of reptiles were recorded. In 2010 4 species of amphibians and 3 species of reptiles were recorded of those identified earlier and another species of reptiles was added in connection with started monitoring activities in subalpine belt.

1. Banded newt (Ommatotriton ophryticus) is an exotic species. Included in the Red Books of the RF and Krasnodar kray. In 2010 the species was not recorded as a result of destruction of the lower floodplain plot

2. Caucasian parsley frog (Pelodytes caucasicus) is a relict species. Colchis endemic. Included in the IUCN Red List and Red Book of Krasnodar kray. Continues occurring near small brooks due to burrowing activity, rarely seen on the surface. The population is not large, the species needs to be protected. In 2010 the area of the species biotope was sharply reduced and pushed off to forest areas beyond the cableway and skiing runs

3. Shelkovnikov’s tree frog (Hyla arborea schelkownikowi) is endemic subspecies which is common and widely spread in mesophilic biotopes. On the Aibga slopes it rises through broad-leaved forest and clearings to the border with dark coniferous forest belt. In spring 2009 as a result of clearing at the location where the cableway is to be built the species population has increased slightly ( to 4 singing males per 50 m of the route). As a result of the landscape transformation the species population has decreased slightly and the spawning grounds on the floodplain were destructed

4. Caucasus toad (Bufo verrucosissimus) is a relict species, endemic for West Caucasus. Occurs throughout the study area, but the population is not large. Included in the IUCN Red List and Red Books of RF and Krasnodar kray. The species population decreased due to destruction of biotopes of summer habitation and spawning grounds on the floodplain. Single individuals are encountered in remaining forest areas. Needs to be protected na monitored regularly

5. Lake frog (Rana ridibunda) is the species with a broad distribution area, but not numerous on Krasnaya Polyana. Occurs along the Mzymta and in small pools on the slopes in the lower part of the ridge. Animals disappeared from the lower plot due to construction of the combined road.

6. Iranian long-legged wood frog (Rana macrocnemis) - is an endemic Colchis species. Included in Red Books of RF and Krasnodar kray. . Common, but not numerous on the slopes of the Aibga from the river Mzymta to the top (subalpine meadows). The species population in the spring 2010 declined sharply. A single spawning site on the way to the waterfall Polikarya is noted. In a big pool 9 spawns were found, i.e. the number of preserved adult mature individuals was not more than 18. With allowance for possible preservation of immature individuals (30%), the total population on the plot in the spring 2010 was not more than 25 individuals. In autumn young-of-the-year individuals left the spawning pool, the successful development of frog larva is manly explained by the fact that the waterfall Polikarya cannot now be approached by visitors on vehicles

7. Blind worm (Anguis fragilis) is common, but not numerous species of deciduous forest and subalpine meadows of Aibga. In spring 2010 the species was not noted, in the autumn single individuals were noted in subalpine belt (mid-grasses subalpine meadows), the species may also be preserved beyond the plot in the vicinity of the waterfall Polikarya

8. Brauner’s rock lizard (Darevskia brauneri) is a relict endemic Colchis species, common and numerous in the lower part of the surveyed area and along the Mzymta and creek corridors, where it occurs on rocks, slides and forest edges. In 2010 the species distribution area decreased due to destruction of part of the Mzymta floodplain landscape. The species is preserved along the creek and on forest ecotones. In autumn the species young-of-the-year individuals emerge on ecotone

9. Derjugin’s lizard (Darevskia derjugini) is a relict endemic species occurring along clearings and light places in the beech belt of Aibga. Included in the IUCN Red List and Red Books of RF and Krasnodar kray. The species population dropped sharply, expected increase was not seen because of total lack of grass on skiing runs. Single individuals were noted on the edges of beech forest.

10. Alpine rock lizard (Darevskia alpina) is a relict endemic species of West Caucasus, edificator of the subalpine belt, included in the IUCN Red List and Red Books of RF and Krasnodar kray . The species was noted at the monitored area for the first time as subalpine monitoring were started. The population status is described above.. It should be mentioned that construction activity near the upper plot may lead to reduction in the biotope area and species population

11. Tesselated water snake (Natrix tessellata) is East Mediterranean species which is not frequent along the Mzymta. The species went extinct on the plot .

12. Large-headed water snake (Natrix megalocephala) is common, but not numerous species of wet biotopes up to subalpine belt inclusive. Included in the IUCN Red List and Red Books of RF and Krasnodar kray. The species went extinct on the plot

13. Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) is common, but not numerous species showing a trend for the population reduction. Population monitoring is required. On the Aibga slopes it primarily occurs in lizard habitats, including meadow near the top. At present the population is not expected to increase -

14. Caucasus viper (Pelias kaznakovi) is a relict endemic Colchis species, endangered. Included in the IUCN Red List and Red Books of RF and Krasnodar kray. The species was not recorded in 2010 again, most likely it went extinct as a result of construction activity on the lower part of the area

Thus the results of monitoring in 2010 is indicative of extinction of 2 species of amphibians (Banded newt and lake frog) and 4 species of reptiles (blind worm, tesselated water snake, large-headed water snake, Caucasus viper) from the JSC “Krasnaya Polyana” (“Gornaya Karusel”) ski complex. They also point to a sharp decline in the distribution area and population of all other species of amphibians and reptiles.