*2.2. The Overview of the Study Design and Characteristics of the Study Plots*

In each location, two visitor-created (informal) pathways were selected: a narrow one (up to 50 cm in width) and a wide one (at least 115 cm in width) based on the assumption that the width of the path is positively correlated with the intensity of tourist traffic (Table 1). The narrow trail can be used by one person, while the wide trail allows at least two people to pass in one direction or to pass each other. The pairs of 1 × 1 m research plots were established along each pathway. The pairs were systematically distributed every 2 m (alternately on both sides of the pathway). Each pair consisted of a plot labelled CL situated close to the edge of the pathway at a distance of 10 cm, and a plot labelled FU located much further at a distance of 150 cm from the plot CL (Figure 1). The distance from the edge of the trail was chosen arbitrarily on the basis of the behavior of tourists. Plots CL were established in places often trampled by tourists to avoid the trail after rainfalls, when the surface is muddy and slippery. Plots FU were established at a greater distance from the trail where descending from the pathway is due to willingness of taking photographs, curiosity, repose, or other causes.

**Figure 1.** The localisation of the study sites (**A**) and the plot sampling design (**B**). Abbreviations of study sites:B—Bogucianka, FB – Fort Bodzów, GP—Górka Pychowicka, T—Tyniec, UK—Uroczysko Kowadza, UW—Uroczysko Wielkanoc; Z—Zakrzówek; abbreviations of plots: CL—located close to the edge of tourist trail, FU—located away from the tourist trail.

The measurements of the abiotic habitat conditions, which were tested in particular plots by using the handheld device BIOWIN, evidenced that light intensity ranged from 740.0 Lx to 2000.0 Lx, soil moisture ranged from 1.0 to 6.7, whereas soil pH was from 7.1 to 7.8 (Table 2). The ANOVA analysis of main effects evidenced that the values of light intensity were similar in both the narrow and wide patches, the soil moisture was significantly greater in the plots CL than in the plots FU (F = 9.85, *p* < 0.01), and the soil reaction achieved greater values in the plots located along the wide pathways than in the narrow ones (F = 10.30, *p* < 0.01).


**Table 2.** The mean light intensity (Lx) (± SD), soil moisture (± SD) and soil pH (± SD) noted in closer (CL) and further (FU) plots located along the narrow (width ≤ 50 cm) and wide (width ≥ 115 cm) pathways situated within the investigated study site.
