Past forest use often has a long-term negative impact on the recovery of the original plant composition of semi-natural grasslands, which are known as a legacy effect. This study investigates the impact of seed dispersal limitations on the restoration of grassland plant diversity on ski slopes with past forest use, highlighting the negative legacy effect on biodiversity recovery. Focusing on ski areas, our research contrasts the vegetation on ski slopes originally created on semi-natural grasslands such as pasture (pasture slopes) and constructed by clearing secondary forests or conifer plantations (forest slopes). We examined species richness and abundance, considering seed dispersal mechanisms, grassland management history and seed source proximity. We reveal that the proximity to species-rich grassland sources and sustained management for more than 50 years are pivotal for the restoration of native grassland vegetation. Particularly, wind-dispersed species show significant recovery on slopes with a history of extensive grassland management, suggesting that both the duration of management and the proximity to seed sources are critical for overcoming the legacy effects of past forest use. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering seed dispersal dynamics and management history in the restoration and conservation of grasslands and their biodiversity, particularly in landscapes experiencing past human intervention.

Biologging involves the use of animal-borne data loggers to investigate behavioral ecology and physiology, and is widely used in various taxonomic groups, including freshwater turtles. Two methods of attachment of the logger were used in previous studies on freshwater turtles. Technological advances have led to a variety of devices and experimental periods and their characteristics vary depending on each species of turtle. Thus, the ideal attachment method for each species and experimental purpose should be considered. This study proposes a new method that utilizes quick-setting epoxy to bond the carapace to a basement. We conducted field experiments on a wild Reeves’ pond turtle and a wild red-eared slider. The new method was used for the pond turtle and the traditional approach of drilling holes in the carapace for attaching the logger with cable ties was used for the slider. The data logger was deployed on the pond turtle for > 3 h and on the slider for 26 days. Results revealed that the movement speed of the pond turtle and the dynamic acceleration of the slider tended to be small in the periods from sunset to sunrise. Although the duration of attachment in the new method was short compared to previous studies, results show that the method is useful for repeatedly attaching and removing the device from turtles, as it is simple and noninvasive.