In June and September 2013 Derjugin’s lizard (Darevskia derjugini) was censured along the motorway “Alpika-Service” – “Roza Khutor” and along the Sulimovsky creek. The results of the census were acceptable: 9 -11 individuals were recorded over the distance of 500 m of the route in the beech and alder forest ecotone. In the beech forest along the Sulimovsky creek, Iranian long-legged wood frogs (Rana macrocnemis) were noted and the calls of Shelkovnikov’s tree frog male (Hyla arborea schelkownikowi) were recorded downstream. In the lower reach of the area, the invasion of lake frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) was noted which is associated with general biotope decolonization and formation of open landscapes.

Plot # 8. Lakes in the subalpine belt, the monitoring objects are banded newt (Triturus vittatus) and Iranian long-legged wood frog (Rana macrocnemis). Like in the previous years, banded newt is not detected in the pools, and the status of Iranian long-legged wood frog in the first half of 2013 remained stable: the spawning occurred on later dates, but was successful. In the second half of 2013 the spawning pool was silt covered due to the construction activity which killed the generation of this year (Photo 1)

Photo 1. Silt covered reservoir – spawning site of Iranian long-legged wood frog (plot 8).

Plot #9. Rocks in subalpine belt. The monitoring object is alpine rock lizard (Darevskia alpinа). The species population following the construction activity in the upper part of the Aibga ridge was not restored and remained to be extremely low, which proved the assumption that it would take at least three years for the species to recolonize the near-crest part of the Aibga. It should be stressed that the alpine rock lizard population recovery is possible only if the biotope is restored and recreation activities are allowed on limited scale.

In the first half of 2013, on the whole, in the population density of the monitored amphibians and reptiles was declining, which is a consequence of transformation of the forest and mountain grassland biotopes. In the second half of the year, banded newt was not encountered, so this species seems to have gone extinct completely. The micropopulation of alpine rock lizard is in a critical state, and as to the Iranian long-legged wood frog whose status was stable in the first half of the year is now at risk as the spawning site is destroyed and this year generation is killed.

The monitoring results of 2013 are indicative of negative changes in biotope characteristics and the status of all, without exception, representatives of herpetofauna on the monitoring area.

In June 2013 Derjugin’s lizard (Darevskia derjugini) was censured along the motorway “Alpika-Service” – “Roza Khutor” and along the Sulimovsky creek. The results of the census were satisfactory: 9 individuals were recorded over the distance of 500 m of the route in the beech and alder forest ecotone. In the beech forest along the Sulimovsky creek, Iranian long-legged wood frogs (Rana macrocnemis) were noted and the calls of Shelkovnikov’s tree frog male (Hyla arborea schelkownikowi) were recorded downstream. In the second half of 2012. In the lower reach of the area invasion of lake frog was noted which is associated with general biotope decolonization and formation of open landscapes.

Plot # 8. Lakes in the subalpine belt, the monitoring objects are banded newt (Triturus vittatus) and Iranian long-legged wood frog (Rana macrocnemis). Like in the previous years, banded newt is not detected in the pools, and the status of Iranian long-legged wood frog remains rather stable: the spawning in 2013 occurs on later dates, male individuals were identified and eggs in the initial phase of larva development were found. The species reproduction is largely normal.

Plot #9. Rocks in subalpine belt. The monitoring object is alpine rock lizard (Darevskia alpinа). The species population following the construction activity in the upper part of the Aibga ridge was not restored and remains to be extremely low, which proves the assumption that it would take at least three years for the species to recolonize the near-crest part of the Aibga. It should be stressed that the alpine rock lizard population recovery is possible only if the biotope is restored and recreation activities are allowed on limited scale.

In the first half of 2013, on the whole, in the population density of the monitored amphibians and reptiles was declining, which is a consequence of transformation of the forest and mountain grassland biotopes. The population of banded newt seems to go extinct, the micropopulation of alpine rock lizard is in a critical state, the situation with the Iranian long-legged wood frog is more or less stable. The obtained monitoring results for the first half of 2013 suggest negative changes in the biotopes and state of the population of the majority of herpatofauna.

In June and September 2012 control census of the population of Derjugin’s lizard (Darevskia derjugini). Was carried out along the motorway “Alpika-Service” – “Roza Khutor”. The results of the census were satisfactory: 8 individuals were recorded per 500 m of the route at the ecotone of beech and alder forest. Besides in the beech forest along the Sulimovsky creek Iranian long-legged wood frogs (Rana macrocnemis) were noted and 2 young large-headed water snakes (Natrix megalocrphala) in a large pool in the middle part of the slope. In the second half of 2012 calls of a male of Shelkovnikov’s tree frog (Hyla arborea schelkownikowi) were recorded.

On the control plot #8, comprising lakes in the subalpine belt, the monitoring objects were banded newt (Ommatotriton ophryticus) and Iranian long-legged wood frog (Rana macrocnemis). Banded newt was not detected in the pools, and the status of Iranian long-legged wood frog remains stable: the spawning was successful.

Plot #9. Rocks in subalpine belt. The monitoring object is alpine rock lizard (Darevskia alpinа). The construction activity in the upper part of Aibga ridge in 2011 lead to a decline in the species population. In 2012 the species population remained extremely low. A sharp decrease in the species population was noted along the near-crest part of the Aibga between the upper stations of the cableways “Alpika-Service” – “Roza Khutor”. Visited intensely by tourists in summer . almost all individuals of alpine rock lizard has autotomic tails, which is indicative of pursuit and disturbance for the species

Generally continuing reduction in forest biotopes was noted on the territory of “Roza Khutor” ski complex in 2012, which inevitably leads to a decrease in distribution areas and population of forest species such as Caucasus toad, blind worm and Shelkovnikov’s tree frog. Decolonization of large-headed water snake can be considered as a positive development, however the overall trend is towards negative changes in biotope characteristics and the status of herpetofauna populations

In 2011 census of amphibians and reptiles was conducted on a plot of the ski complex “Roza-Khutor”, with recording the age composition of censured animals (number of adult and young individuals) in spring and autumn.

Lakes in the subalpine belt (plot #8) were surveyed. The monitoring objects were banded newt (Triturus vittatus) and Iranian long-legged wood frog (Rana macrocnemis). The presence of a large number of young-of-the year individuals of Iranian long-legged wood frog in 2011 points to successful proliferation and development of the species on this spawning site. Banded newt was not detected in the subalpine belt lakes in 2011 which suggests deletion of this species in the Roza Khutor subalpine belt.

Parts of rocks in the Roza Khutor subalpine belt (plot #9) were surveyed. The monitoring object was alpine rock lizard (Darevskia alpinа). The construction activity in the upper part of Aibga ridge resulted in reduction in the species population density. It will take 2-3 year for recolonization and recovery of this lizard population. The negative trend is increasing pressure from recreants in the near-crest area of Aibga, which has resulted in decrease of the species population density, occurrence of damaged individuals, indicative of pursuit and disturbance for the species in this part of the area.

Generally a significant decline in the forest biotopes was noted on the territory of the “Roza Khutor” ski complex in 2011 which will inevitably lead to a decrease in distribution areas and population of forest species such as Caucasus toad, blind worm and Shelkovnikov’s tree frog. At the same time, sod formation on the slopes changed during the road construction may bring about expansion of distribution areas and populations of species living on the fores edges such as Derjugin’s lizard Brauner’s and rock lizard, blind worm and smooth snake.

The general trend currently is indicative of negative changes in the characteristics of herpetofauna biotopes.

In 2010 census of amphibians and reptiles was conducted on a plot of the ski complex “Roza-Khutor”, with recording the age composition of censured animals (number of adult and young individuals) in spring and autumn.

Lakes in the subalpine belt (plot #8) were surveyed. The monitoring objects were banded newt (Triturus vittatus) and Iranian long-legged wood frog (Rana macrocnemis). The presence of a large number of young-of-the-year individuals of Iranian long-legged wood frog in 2010 points to successful proliferation and development of the species on this spawning site. Banded newt was not detected in the subalpine belt lakes in 2010, which suggests deletion of this species in the Roza Khutor subalpine belt.

Parts of rocks in the Roza Khutor subalpine belt (plot #9) were surveyed. The monitoring object was alpine rock lizard (Darevskia alpinа). The population of the lizards in 2010 was higher that in 2009. some increase in the alpine rock lizard population was probably due to movement of some individuals from the construction sites at the upper station of the Roza-Khutor cableway, as in 2009 a significant pressure was noted from disturbance due to construction activity and natural biotopes of the species was seen to be destroyed. Autumn monitoring provided a basis for a conclusion about successful proliferation of the lizards (14 young-of-the-year individuals were recorded on the control route).