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 conference "Mountains: Biodiversity, landscapes and culture"eventThe Sustainable Caucasus has combined efforts with Qərbi Kaspi Universiteti/Western Caspian University to co-host The 2nd International Conference "Mountains: Biodiversity, Landscapes, and Cultures" to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, 5 to 6 November, 2024. The event is designed to foster connections between knowledge sources and cultivate narratives, pathways and visions for...
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CBD COP 16 side event: Global Mountain Governance: Importance for Building Synergies between Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change AdaptationeventThe event "Global Mountain Governance: Importance for Building Synergies between Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Adaptation" will take place on 23 October 2024 from 18.00 to 19.30 at the Colombia Pavilion (TBC) during CBD COP 16. This session will address the critical need to enhance regional mountain governance and further...
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UN Biodiversity Conference 2024 (CBD COP 16)eventThe UN Biodiversity Conference 2024 will be held in Colombia from 21 October to 1 November 2024. The conference will encompass the Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16), the Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as...
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World Food Forum side event: Elevating Agriculture: Youth Innovation in Mountain Agrifood SystemseventThe Mountain Youth Hub is organizing the World Food Forum side event "Elevating Agriculture: Youth Innovation in Mountain Agrifood Systems". The event aims to highlight the creative solutions and projects initiated by mountain youth that contribute to sustainable agrifood practices in the unique environment of the mountains. The event...
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UN General Assembly declares 2025–2034 as Decade of Action for Cryospheric SciencesnewsIn a decisive step toward addressing one of the most pressing climate issues, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted a resolution on 13 August 2024, designating 2025 to 2034 as the "Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences". This landmark decision aims to tackle the growing challenges posed by...
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Recent updates from Adaptation at Altitude: key insights for mountain stakeholdersnewsThe Adaptation at Altitude programme has recently released a series of briefs and articles containing relevant insights for members of the Mountain Partnership and other mountain stakeholders. These publications delve into pressing issues related to climate change, sustainable land management and conservation, offering insights and practical strategies for adaptation. Leave no...
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