Mountain biodiversity
Mountains loom large in some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Their unique topography, compressed climatic zones and isolation have created the conditions for a wide spectrum of life forms.
Half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots are concentrated in mountains and mountains support approximately one-quarter of terrestrial biological diversity. Mountains are home to rare species of plants and animals. These include increasingly rare animals such as gorillas, mountain lions, and the majestic tahr or strikingly beautiful plants such as orchids and lobelias.
A large portion of the world's most precious gene pools (for agriculture and medicine) are preserved in mountains. Crops that are important for food security, such as maize, potatoes, barley, sorghum, tomatoes and apples, have been diversified in mountains and an array of domestic animals - sheep, goats, yaks, llamas and alpacas - have originated or been diversified in mountains. Other crops, such as wheat, rye, rice, oats and grapes, have found new homes in the mountains and evolved into many varieties. Coffee and tea, with their roots in Ethiopia and the Himalayan region, are mountain crops as well. Medicinal plants are one of the most valuable resources from high altitudes. This rich biodiversity holds cultural, ecological and economic value. In the Andes, for example, farmers know of as many as 200 different varieties of Indigenous Peoples' potatoes and, in Nepal, they farm approximately 2 000 varieties of rice.
Climate change, poverty, commercial mining, logging and poaching all exact a heavy toll on mountain biodiversity. The sustainable management of mountain biodiversity has increasingly been recognized as a global priority. The Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a Programme of Work on Mountain Biological Diversity in 2004, which includes a set of actions and targets addressing characteristics and problems that are specific to mountain ecosystems.
International Glacier and Mountain Ecosystems ForumeventThe International Glacier and Mountain Ecosystems Forum is an event that seeks to exchange experiences and knowledge about glaciers and mountain ecosystems, promoting opportunities for cooperation between public institutions, civil society organizations, business and academia, for the implementation of research on sustainable development of mountain populations. During the forum, there will...
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Environmental calendar drawn up in ArgentinanewsAn environmental calendar was created in the first half of 2016, with the support of CONICET, in Santa Catalina, a town situated in the high elevations of the Argentinian province of Jujuy. The result of intercultural efforts, the calendar was requested by various communities who wanted to record their local...
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Demography, culture and life in the AlpsnewsMigration and depopulation, perspectives of traditional crafts, climate change and health are some of the topics that will be discussed during the AlpWeek 2016. Organized by the main Alpine organizations, AlpWeek 2016 will take place on 11-15 October 2016 in Grassau, Germany. Numerous thought-provoking sessions, market stands and exhibitions will...
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Partnerships boosting mountain businessesnewsThe habitat offered by the Monti Sibillini National Park, Central Italy, suits the wild boar so well, there comes a point when wild boars are too prolific, and as part of the Park’s conservation work, a studied and controlled cull is agreed. Mountain writer Tamara Griffiths spoke with Amedeo Tuccini, who...
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Mount Kenya elephant survey conductednewsAerial counts of elephants in forest environments are ineffective due to the obstruction of tree canopies. Therefore, an ambitious elephant dung survey was carried out on foot along line transects. This is the most commonly used method to estimate the density of elephants in forest environments. The survey was led...
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Increasing mountain forest cover in Costa RicanewsCosta Rica, a country with an area of only 51 100 sq km, contains a wealth of species, approximately 3.6 percent of the expected biodiversity of the planet (between 13 and 14 million species). The country has an approximate record of 94 753 known species, i.e., about 5 percent of...
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