Assessment of the Potential Risk of Rock-Climbing for Cliff Plant Species and Natural Protected Areas of Spain

In recent years, the popularity of rock-climbing has grown tremendously, setting an increasing pressure on cliff habitats. Climbing may be particularly harmful in Mediterranean biome due to its appropriate environmental conditions for climbing. A few studies have identified effect climbing plant diversity at a small-scale (namely locally or even just specific areas). However, no exist assessing potential risk broad-scale (e.g., regional national). The study aims identify priority locations and species Spain focus future efforts. was selected because it is biodiversity hotspot, with great endemic endangered species, one most popular destinations climbers. We used geographic information system-based approach model spatial concurrence among Spanish areas (and intensity), natural protected (NPAs), distribution threatened plants their IUCN threat category). found that 53.5% are located within NPA, them falling into NPAs medium protection level. mapped 151 plants, identifying four eight which research efforts should focused. High-priority absent according our modeling. For first time national scale, this identifies represents habitats plants. These findings contribute designing field effects cliffs, laying groundwork sustainable, yet challenging, balance between these unique rock-climbing.