The extreme simplification of these areas PARP phosphorylation provides no refuge from predatory attempts. Thus, reptiles are likely to perceive the ski runs as high-risk, low-quality habitat. Indeed, the increased perception of predation risk by lizards on ski runs is supported by Amo, Lopez & Martin (2007) who found that lizards moved further and at greater speeds on ski runs in Europe, in response to the low availability of refuges. Additionally, this risk of predation (and the perception of this risk; Lima 1993) is likely to increase as the width of the ski runs increases, because lizards will have to travel further to reach refuges. For large-bodied reptiles (and gravid females), this is particularly important because 1) they may be more susceptible to predation by avian predators that select for larger-bodied individuals during bird breeding seasons (Padilla, Nogales & Marrero 2007) and 2) ski resorts encourage larger concentrations of scavenging birds (Storch & Leidenberger 2003; Jokimaki et al. 2007) that also may prey on lizards in the area. Thus, to facilitate the movements of reptiles throughout disturbed ski resorts, it is essential that additional cover is available on ski runs. Our results indicate that even the absence of mowing provided enough cover to significantly reduce rates of predation. Hence, measures to maximize complexity – such as the cessation of mowing and/or the rehabilitation of native forbs and grasses on ski slopes – will enhance disturbed areas for reptiles. From our field observations (Chloe F. Sato, unpublished data), we suggest that lizards in ski resorts are favouring alternative habitats to mown ski runs (such as rock outcrops, woodlands, heathlands and undisturbed natural grasslands) where structural complexity is higher and opportunities exist for shuttling between areas of shade and sun. These habitats provide additional cover for avoiding predators and a greater opportunity to avoid extended exposure to extreme temperatures. The selection of habitats other than structurally simple (mown) ski runs by lizards does not pose a threat to their persistence in these disturbed subalpine landscapes. However, if ski resorts continue to expand and new ski runs are constructed using current slope-grooming practices, habitat will increasingly be fragmented and the remaining patches utilized by lizards will progressively become more isolated from one another. As lizards generally have low dispersal abilities (e.g. between 20 m and 57 m depending on the species; see Clobert et al. 1994; Olsson & Shine 2003), mown ski runs with widths > 20 m have the potential to seriously inhibit lizard movement and dispersal, particularly during the summer and autumn months when reproduction and dispersal of young are occurring (Green & Osborne 2012).