Mechanical impacts of climbing
“…The mechanical stress caused by boulderers damages rock vegetation locally on climbing holds and is one of the impacts induced by climbing. Even moderate frequency and no prior cleaning of routes can lead to longer lasting damage to cliff vegetation. In sensitive areas, appropriate management actions should be developed by climbing associations, experts and nature conservation organizations. The strong effect on vegetation caused by first ascents suggests that climbing management should favour closing entire rocks while leaving others open.” in BEC