Personal field investigations in the tourist area in Ylläs (Äkäslompolo
and Ylläsjärvi areas) during summer 2013 revealed that
the vegetation in the area has suffered from tourist activities. Hiking
in the Ylläs area has affected the vegetation and caused wearing
(Fig. 2a). In many parts, the trails are well established (road-like
trails), and the original vegetation has not suffered if only the
marked trails were used. However, it was observed that the number
of side-trails (Fig. 2b) increases in higher altitudes. In some
places, there were grass species growing among forests species
in the middle of the broad trail (Fig. 2c). Especially in higher altitudes,
the soil erosion has been quite harsh and lots of roots and
stones were revealed (Fig. 2a). The fell peak has not much vegetation
but the trail can be seen as the stones are quite worn out in
some places.
The surroundings of the most important tourist attractions
(hotels, ski slopes, shops) are quite heavily worn and in many places
the bare ground is visible (Fig. 2d). During the summer, it is observable
that the native forest vegetation has been removed from the
downhill ski slope area and the lower parts ofthe ski slopes are vegetated
by grass (Fig. 2f). Itis noteworthy thatthe original vegetation
has not revegetated the slope area and it seems thatthe local native
vegetation is not able to recover unassisted if the tourism activities
are going to continue in the area. Wearing has not affected