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.
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2nd International Conference on ''Mountains: Biodiversity, Landscapes and Cultures''eventThe International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) and Western Caspian University are organizing the 2nd International Conference on “Mountains: Cultures, Landscapes & Biodiversity" in Baku, Azerbaijan at Western Caspian University on 5-6 November 2024. The conference's main topics will be:
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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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27th session of the FAO Committee on ForestryeventThe 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO 27) wil be held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy from 22-26 July in a hybrid format. COFO 27 brings together high-level representatives, heads of forest services, government officials and partner organizations to identify emerging policy and technical guidance, seek solutions,...
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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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