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.
Enter the 2023 International Mountain Day photo contestpeak to peakThe November 2023 issue of Peak to Peak calls for submissions for the 2023 International Mountain Day photo contest, which focuses on restoring mountain ecosystems. Top news covers the launch of the Mountain Partnership's Mountain Youth Hub during the United Nations Global Indigenous Youth Forum, the creation of a new... Download » |
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Members' Voices: Austin George Smith, International Network for Bamboo and RattannewsIn this latest Members' Voices feature, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat interviews Austin George Smith, a Communication and Press Specialist at the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), who sheds light on the benefits of bamboo and rattan, their role in conversing mountain biodiversity as well as INBAR’s positive...
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CBD COP 15 ResumedeventThe resumed sessions of the Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties for the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic...
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Launch of the African NGOs Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (ANAES)eventAfrica faces numerous environmental challenges, including ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, wildlife poaching, poverty and pollution, all accelerated by climate change. These challenges are complex and require collective efforts to address them effectively. In collaboration with the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS Network) has initiated the African...
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7th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (Carpathian Convention COP7)eventThe 7th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (Carpathian Convention COP7) will take place in Belgrade, Serbia, from 11 to 13 October 2023. It will gather high-level representatives from the seven State Parties to the Convention,...
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50 chefs and producers sign Andorra's manifesto for the future of mountain cuisinenewsOver 50 chefs and producers signed a manifesto for the future of mountain cuisine. Presented at the second edition of Andorra Taste, held on 13–17 September 2023, the manifesto aims to raise awareness of the problems affecting mountain areas. Document signatories commit to protecting mountains' natural environments and their inhabitants. The...
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