Erosion protection as a precondition of ski resorts development on the Old mountain

The environmental impacts in Serbian ski areas are very strong, leading to landscape degradation, functionality and financial losses, which is illustrated in ski-resort 'Stara planina'. Construction or improvment works cause hard destruction of topsoil and native vegetation. Some activities enhance erosion production and sediment yield: clear cuttings; trunk transport down the slope; road construction and large excavations. Also, lack of erosion control works in ski areas, especially between April and October, result in various forms of land degradation such as furrows, gullies, landslides, or debris from rock weathering. Planning and designing activities, with application of technical and biotechnical erosion control structures, through concept of restoration, are necessary measures in protection of ski areas.