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.
From peak to market: Uniting Bolivian farmers in the AndesnewsHigh in the Bolivian Andes, the AGRECOL Andes Foundation is not just making a big difference; it is revolutionizing the way local farmers connect and practice sustainable agriculture. From the bustling city of Cochabamba to the mountain village of Tirani at 3 000 metres, this organization brings farmers together to...
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Call for case studies, publication on best practices for climate change solutions in mountainsnewsThe past year marked a turning point for the mountain agenda on climate change. Mountains were recognized in the COP 28 stocktake document, and the first-ever dialogue on mountains and climate change took place at SBSTA 60 in Bonn. To build on this momentum, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat seeks your contributions...
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Apply for "GROW - Agrobiodiversity in a Changing Climate" 2024newsThe application period for the 2024 edition of the online training programme GROW - Agrobiodiversity in a Changing Climate is now open. The course will be held from 12 to 22 November 2024. Securing access to healthy, safe, and high-quality food for all while maintaining environmental sustainability is one of the...
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Local efforts for ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and resilient forest livelihoods in the mountain watersheds of the PhilippinespublicationThis policy brief explores the willingness of local authorities to strengthen adaptation and resilience to climate change while improving social well-being and economic development. It presents forest restoration and sustainable agricultural practices, institutionalized yet led by communities, as effective methods for reducing risks, improving the resilience of farmer communities and... Download » |
Mountain forests masterclass: Insights from the fieldeventIn the lead up to the 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO 27) and the 9th World Forest Week, this event is dedicated to spotlighting success stories from young mountain foresters operating in the field. Organized together by the Mountain Youth Hub (MYH) and the COFO 27 Youth...
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3rd World Biodiversity ForumeventUnder the theme "From Science to Action", the third World Biodiversity Forum (WBF) will bring together researchers across all disciplines of biodiversity science with practitioners and societal actors to explore how to move from science to actions and solutions to conserve biodiversity and forge a path towards transformation for sustainability. The...
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