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.
![]() 43rd Meeting of the Pacific Islands ForumeventThe 43rd meeting of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF 43) will take place from 27-31 August 2012. The meeting will be preceded by a Smaller Islands States (SIS) Leaders’ Meeting and Pacific African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States Leaders’ Meeting. PIF 43 will include a Formal Session, Leaders’... Read more » |
![]() Contributions to policy from scientific research - a view from the mountainsnewsThe Mountain Research Initiative (TC Americas) and CONDESAN convened a round table discussion, titled “Monitoring of change in mountains: how can research feed policy for sustainable development?” as part of activities in the Mountain Pavilion during the Rio+20 conference. Invited speakers included representatives from Europe, Asia, and North and South... Read more » |
![]() Endangered species in the Karakorum Mountains: a threat to biodiversity in the ParknewsMining, uncontrolled deforestation and hunting. These are the factors that seriously threaten the biodiversity of the Karakorum Mountains home to 10 species of mammals and 12 species of birds in danger of extinction. The alarm has been launched in past days by Muhammad Zafar Khan, head of WWF in Pakistan.... Read more » |
![]() Future Andean Community legislation on illegal miningblogJuly 10, 2012. Last week, during a meeting held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombia, the countries who are member of the Andean Community (Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador) analyzed and agreed on the final text of future community legislation on illegal mining. Please see the complete information in... Read more » |
![]() Equator Prize Award CeremonyeventThe Equator Prize is awarded biannually to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. As local and indigenous groups across the world chart a path towards sustainable development, the Equator Prize spotlights 25 local initiatives by honouring them on an international stage. The event,... Read more » |
![]() Experience Sharing and Planning Workshop on Payment Mechanisms for Ecosystem Goods and Services Provided by Rangelands – Testing and Piloting: Call for PaperseventThe Planning Workshop on Payment Mechanisms for Ecosystem Goods and Services Provided by Rangelands, will be held from 18 to 20 June 2012 at the Chengdu Institute of Biology (CIB) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in Sichuan, China. The workshop is organized by CIB, Read more » |
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