Ski Slopes Stress Black Grouse: New Mapping Tool Shows Impact

Scientists studied how winter sports affect black grouse in the mountains. They gathered 235 droppings and measured stress hormones inside them. The results show that more skiers near the runs lead to higher hormone levels in the birds.

A statistical model turned those numbers into detailed maps with a ten‑meter grid. Each map shows where stress is likely to be strongest under different skier counts and weather conditions.

An online map lets anyone explore those scenarios by changing the number of skiers or the layout of the slopes. The tool lives at http://boydorr.gla.ac.uk/lucanelli/blackgrouse_stress and updates instantly.

The same workflow can be applied to other species and other kinds of human disturbance. It gives managers a practical way to balance recreation with wildlife protection.