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 Mountain Day: Spotlighting cultural heritage and ethical fashion

peak to peak

The January 2023 issue of Peak to Peak recaps the highlights of International Mountain Day 2023, "Women move mountains". Top news stories cover high-level events held in Rome as well as celebrations held wordwide to commemorate the International Day. Furthermore, news stories announce a collaborative initiative to protect mountain landscapes...

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World’s nations adopt a landmark framework to support global biodiversity

news

The community of the world's nations adopted a landmark framework to support global biodiversity on 19 December, and the agreement contains significant contributions from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), committed to make sure that the needs and impacts of agrifood systems are given due consideration.

The...

Ecosystem restoration in the mountains - policy brief

publication

Mountains play a crucial role for both the highlands and lowlands, but are particularly vulnerable to climate change and human interventions. This policy brief focuses on ecosystem restoration in the mountains. It highlights the role of healthy mountain ecosystems and their services and provides a set of recommendations to help...

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CBD COP 15 side event: Celebrating International Year of Mountains - ensuring mountain biodiversity protection within the post-2020 GBF implementation

event

Mountain biodiversity is important for human wellbeing at global scale. Mountains are biodiversity hotspots, providing home to outstanding natural heritage and habitat for unique species. They support the provision of essential ecosystem services to local communities and beyond: as water towers, mountain regions supply freshwater to over half of humanity...

CBD COP 15

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With China in the Chair as President, the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will reconvene 5 to 17 December 2022 in Montreal, Canada, where a new world agreement to safeguard nature is expected to be adopted.

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Photo by Vakhidova Maryam

Women move mountains: High-level events to mark International Mountain Day

peak to peak

The December 2022 issue of Peak to Peak announces the upcoming high-level events planned for International Mountain Day (IMD) 2022. Top news stories highlight mountains on agendas in international discussions, recapping mountain-related side events at UNFCCC COP27 and introducing the approval of a new resolution on sustainable mountain development at...