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.
![]() "Restoring mountain ecosystems" theme of International Mountain Day 2023newsRestoring mountain ecosystems is the theme of this year's International Mountain Day on 11 December. This theme was selected to fully include mountains in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030, co-led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and the UN Environment Programme. The Decade is... Read more » |
![]() Harnessing the socio-ecological potential of mountain biosphere reserves for biodiversity conservation - policy briefpublicationIn this policy brief, the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme and the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves present their recommendations for harnessing the socio-ecological potential of mountain biosphere reserves for biodiversity conservation. From the paradigm-shifting landscape approach to the potential for scientific collaboration between more than half of biosphere... Download » |
![]() Expo 2020 Dubai Climate and Biodiversity Theme Week InsightspublicationFrom October 2021 to March 2022, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) brought more than 200 nations and organizations together to chart a course forward for a cleaner, safer and healthier future for all. Designed in conjunction with 192 nations and adopted by the UAE Cabinet, the Programme for... Download » |
![]() International Mountain Day: Spotlighting cultural heritage and ethical fashionpeak to peakThe 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... Download » |
![]() World’s nations adopt a landmark framework to support global biodiversitynewsThe 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... Read more » |
![]() Ecosystem restoration in the mountains - policy briefpublicationMountains 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... Download » |
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