Mountains
Mountain scenarios
Mountains are unique social-ecological systems that provide vital ecosystem services. They are among the most visible and emblematic indicators of climate change. Glacier retreat, drought, and increasingly extreme weather represent significant threats to mountain communities across the globe, both physically and spiritually. Mountains are also hotspots for ecological and cultural diversity. The many diverse communities that have thrived under harsh conditions for generations may be well-positioned to navigate these threats and enact transformative change.
Below, a series of scenario studies from our database are presented that provide examples of sustainable development pathways and resilient governance in mountains that could be applied to help address the challenges of global change in mountain social-ecological systems.
Learn more about the Mountain Research Initiative
This featured page is in collaboration with the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), a project funded by the Swiss Academy of Sciences and hosted by the University of Bern’s Centre for Development and Environment. The Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) promotes basic and applied research to understand how drivers and processes of global change present challenges and opportunities in mountain social-ecological systems. It convenes a global network that collectively generates and synthesizes knowledge on global change in mountains that also supports decisions and actions to enable sustainable development.
Biospherefutures is excited to collaborate with the MRI Mountain Governance working group to “address the critical need for better understanding and information regarding mountain governance challenges and opportunities.”
Read more about the Mountain Research Initiative
Explore the Mountain Governance group’s work:
Challenges for Governing Mountains Sustainably: Insights from a Global Survey (27 July 2021)