Browse our extensive collection of MRI publications, authored by our Principal Investigators, Science Leadership Council members, and Coordination Office staff. Each publication offers insights into diverse mountain-related topics spanning multiple disciplines.
State of the Cryosphere 2023
MRI Executive Director, Carolina Adler, is among the reviewers of this report (Chapter 3: Mountain Glaciers and Snow). The State of the Cryosphere 2023 – Two Degrees is Too High report shows that all of the Earth’s frozen parts will experience irreversible damage at 2°C of global warming, with disastrous consequences for millions of people, societies, and nature. Confirming that just 2°C of global warming will trigger irreversible loss to Earth’s ice sheets, mountain glaciers and snow, sea ice, permafrost, and polar oceans, it updates the latest science and highlights the global impacts from cryosphere loss.
ICCI, 2023. State of the Cryosphere 2023 – Two Degrees is Too High. International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI), Stockholm, Sweden. 62 pp.
ICCI, 2023. State of the Cryosphere 2023 – Two Degrees is Too High. International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI), Stockholm, Sweden. 62 pp.
Diverse Values of Nature for Sustainability
MRI Science Leadership Council member, Ignacio Palomo, is among the authors of this publication. A study that assesses diverse evidence sources to synthesize how nature’s values are expressed by people, and to clarify how nature’s values are considered in decisions, including what and whose values are involved or affected. The researchers also introduce a typology that comprises four interrelated meanings of value or its ‘layers’.
Pascual, U., Balvanera, P., Anderson, C.B. et al. Diverse values of nature for sustainability. Nature 620, 813–823 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06406-9
Pascual, U., Balvanera, P., Anderson, C.B. et al. Diverse values of nature for sustainability. Nature 620, 813–823 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06406-9
Aligning Social Networks and Co-Designed Visions to Foster Systemic Innovation in the Alps
MRI Principle Investigator member, Prof. Adrienne Grêt-Regamey, is among the authors of this publication. An analysis of the social networks of two regions in the Alps, with insights provided about innovative capacities in mountain regions and a proposal of how to strengthen these capacities in order to support regional transformations.
Blanco, V., Luthe, T., Bruley, E. et al. Aligning social networks and co-designed visions to foster systemic innovation in the Alps. Reg Environ Change 23, 102 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-023-02099-y
Blanco, V., Luthe, T., Bruley, E. et al. Aligning social networks and co-designed visions to foster systemic innovation in the Alps. Reg Environ Change 23, 102 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-023-02099-y
The Value of Researching the Past for Crafting Sustainable African Mountain Futures
MRI Science Leadership Council member, Robert Marchant, is among the authors of this publication. A palaeoecological and archaeological syntheses covering past years of entangled environmental and human histories of Africa’s mountains can be used to define the varied social-ecological dynamics and legacies of this biocultural heritage (Marchant et al., 2018).
Robert Marchant & Jessica P. Thorn (2023) The value of researching the past for crafting sustainable African mountain futures, Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, DOI: 10.1080/0035919X.2023.2205373
Robert Marchant & Jessica P. Thorn (2023) The value of researching the past for crafting sustainable African mountain futures, Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, DOI: 10.1080/0035919X.2023.2205373
Seasonal Enrichment of Heavy Isotopes in Meltwater Runoff From Haig Glacier, Canadian Rocky Mountains
MRI Science Leadership Council member, Shawn Marshall, is among the authors of this publication. A new study which focused on glaciers in the world’s mountainous regions that are losing mass, contributing to global sea level rise, and impacting regional water resources (Hock et al., 2019). Glacial meltwater, a vital freshwater source, faces uncertainties due to glaciers losing mass globally. A study conducted at Haig Glacier in the Canadian Rocky Mountains found isotopic enrichment in stable water isotopes, indicating evaporation effects as the main cause for the observed enrichment in glacial runoff.
Penn K, Marshall SJ and Sinclair KE (2023) Seasonal enrichment of heavy isotopes in meltwater runoff from Haig Glacier, Canadian Rocky Mountains. Front. Earth Sci. 11:1125877. doi: 10.3389/feart.2023.1125877
Penn K, Marshall SJ and Sinclair KE (2023) Seasonal enrichment of heavy isotopes in meltwater runoff from Haig Glacier, Canadian Rocky Mountains. Front. Earth Sci. 11:1125877. doi: 10.3389/feart.2023.1125877
Renewable Electricity Production in Mountain Regions: Toward a People-Centered Energy Transition Agenda
A new study, based on a meta-analysis of 68 peer-reviewed publications, and the author team’s decades of on-the-ground experience, highlights the potential of sustainable hydropower, wind, and solar energy in the Hindu Kush Himalaya and the Andes to address local communities’ demands and adaptation needs while supporting broader decarbonization efforts.
This paper, featured in Mountain Research and Development Open Issue 43.1, is an output of an MRI Synthesis Workshop ‘‘Renewable Energy Transitions: Comparative Assessment in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, Andes and Alps”.
Christopher A. Scott, Sarala Khaling, Padmendra P. Shrestha, F. Sebastián Riera, Kinley Choden, and Kasvi Singh "Renewable Electricity Production in Mountain Regions: Toward a People-Centered Energy Transition Agenda," Mountain Research and Development 43(1), A1-A8, (2 May 2023). https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00062
Christopher A. Scott, Sarala Khaling, Padmendra P. Shrestha, F. Sebastián Riera, Kinley Choden, and Kasvi Singh "Renewable Electricity Production in Mountain Regions: Toward a People-Centered Energy Transition Agenda," Mountain Research and Development 43(1), A1-A8, (2 May 2023). https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00062
A Workshop on Advances in Our Understanding of Elevation Dependent Climate Change
This is an output from the MRI's Elevation Dependent Working Group. Experts from around the world gathered at the University of Innsbruck in Austria for a workshop on how climate change is affecting mountain environments, in particular at different elevations.
Napoli, A., Pepin, N., Palazzi, E., & Zardi, D. (2023). A workshop on advances in our understanding of Elevation Dependent Climate Change. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-23-0043.1
Napoli, A., Pepin, N., Palazzi, E., & Zardi, D. (2023). A workshop on advances in our understanding of Elevation Dependent Climate Change. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-23-0043.1
Herbivore Rewilding Does Not Promote Biodiversityin Argentine Andean Peatlands
MRI Science Leadership Council member, Ricardo Grau, is among the authors of this publication. A new study which focused on the Argentine Puna and the High Andes ecoregions, above 3200 m asl, encompassing an area of 14.3 million hectares (Izquierdo et al., 2015). Peatlands were sampled along a gradient of use, from exclusively dominated by livestock to exclusively dominated by native wild herbivores.
Navarro CJ, Carilla J, Osinaga Acosta O, Nieto C, Ovejero R, Grau HR. 2023. Herbivore rewilding does not promote biodiversity in Argentine Andean peatlands. In press in Anthropocene 42, June 2023, 100382, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ancene.2023.100382.
Navarro CJ, Carilla J, Osinaga Acosta O, Nieto C, Ovejero R, Grau HR. 2023. Herbivore rewilding does not promote biodiversity in Argentine Andean peatlands. In press in Anthropocene 42, June 2023, 100382, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ancene.2023.100382.
Mapping Human- And Bear-Centered Perspectives on Coexistence Using a Participatory Bayesian Framework
MRI Co-Principal Investigator, Adrienne Grêt-Regamey, is among the authors of this publication. A study based on developing a participatory modelling process that incorporates both human-centered and large carnivore-centered perspectives on coexistence, and applying it to a case study of coexistence between humans and the endangered Apennine brown bears in Italy. Local and expert knowledge, as well as available data on bear habitats and land use, were integrated into a spatially explicit Bayesian network.
Mayer, Paula, Grêt-Regamey, Adrienne, Ciucci, Paolo, Salliou, Nicolas and Ana Stritih. 2023. Mapping human- and bear-centered perspectives on coexistence using a participatory Bayesian framework. Journal for Nature Conservation 73: 126387, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126387
Mayer, Paula, Grêt-Regamey, Adrienne, Ciucci, Paolo, Salliou, Nicolas and Ana Stritih. 2023. Mapping human- and bear-centered perspectives on coexistence using a participatory Bayesian framework. Journal for Nature Conservation 73: 126387, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126387
Nature‑Based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation Are Not Located Where They Are Most Needed Across the Alps
MRI Scientific Leadership Council member, Ignacio Palomo, is among the authors of this publication. The article published in the journal Regional Environmental Change suggests that hazards and nature's contributions to people (NCP) indicators are not the main drivers of nature-based solutions (NbS) implementation in the Alps. It is argued that integrating local climate conditions and current NCP flows is needed to underpin a macro-regional strategy for planning NbS implementation.
Dubo, T., Palomo, I., Camacho, L. L., Locatelli, B., Cugniet, A., Racinais, N., & Lavorel, S. (2023). Nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation are not located where they are most needed across the Alps. Regional Environmental Change, 23(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01998-w
Dubo, T., Palomo, I., Camacho, L. L., Locatelli, B., Cugniet, A., Racinais, N., & Lavorel, S. (2023). Nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation are not located where they are most needed across the Alps. Regional Environmental Change, 23(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01998-w
Mountain Observations: Monitoring, Data, and Information for Science, Policy, and Society: Policy Brief
Observations play a key role in tracking mountain global change and its impacts, understanding the various processes and feedback mechanisms involved, and delivering more reliable projections of the future to society. This Policy Brief provides an overview of the current state of multi-disciplinary mountain observations. It represents a contribution of the Global Network on Observations and Information in Mountain Environments (GEO Mountains) to the observance of the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development.
Thornton, J. M., Palazzi, E., & Adler, C. (2022). Mountain Observations: Monitoring, Data, and Information for Science, Policy, and Society. Policy Brief: International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022. https://doi.org/10.48350/175341
Thornton, J. M., Palazzi, E., & Adler, C. (2022). Mountain Observations: Monitoring, Data, and Information for Science, Policy, and Society. Policy Brief: International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022. https://doi.org/10.48350/175341
Ecosystem Restoration in the Mountains: Policy Brief
This policy brief highlights the role of healthy mountain ecosystems and their services and provides a set of recommendations to help design effective restoration plans. It also reflects on the achievements made during the last 20 years.
The publication was prepared by ICIMOD and the Mountain Partnership in collaboration with the MRI, UNEP, FAO and the University of York, and in line with the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development.
Parisi, F., Lee, Y., Bitsch, J., Schmoeker, G., Quenta Herrera, E., Wang, J., Hofer, T., Marchant, R., Chettri, N., & Liniger, H. (2022). Ecosystem restoration in the mountains. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD); Mountain Partnership Secretariat. Kathmandu, Nepal.
Parisi, F., Lee, Y., Bitsch, J., Schmoeker, G., Quenta Herrera, E., Wang, J., Hofer, T., Marchant, R., Chettri, N., & Liniger, H. (2022). Ecosystem restoration in the mountains. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD); Mountain Partnership Secretariat. Kathmandu, Nepal.
Harnessing the Socio-Ecological Potential of Mountain Biosphere Reserves for Biodiversity Conservation: Policy Brief
In 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. MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler has co-authored this publication.
This policy brief was produced in collaboration with the Mountain Partnership and the Mountain Research Initiative, in line with the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development.
Aquerreta, R., Vivien, L., Adler, C. E., Cárdenas, M. R., Chávez, E., & Price, M. F. (2022). Harnessing the socio-ecological potential of mountain biosphere reserves for biodiversity conservation: policy brief. UNESCO, SC-2022/WS. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384095
Aquerreta, R., Vivien, L., Adler, C. E., Cárdenas, M. R., Chávez, E., & Price, M. F. (2022). Harnessing the socio-ecological potential of mountain biosphere reserves for biodiversity conservation: policy brief. UNESCO, SC-2022/WS. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384095
Everyday Adaptation Practices by Coffee Farmers in Three Mountain Regions in Africa
This paper arose from research conducted as part of an MRI Synthesis Workshop “Transformative Adaptation to Climate Change in African Mountains.” The publication identifies climate change adaptation strategies used in African mountain systems, as well as barriers and enabling factors that affect transformative adaptation to climatic changes in these systems.
Cuni-Sanchez, A., Twinomuhangi, I., Aneseyee, A., Mwangi, B., Olaka, L., Bitariho, R., Soromessa, T., Castro, B., & Zafra-Calvo, N. (2022). Everyday adaptation practices by coffee farmers in three mountain regions in Africa. Ecology and Society, 27(4), art32. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-13622-270432
Cuni-Sanchez, A., Twinomuhangi, I., Aneseyee, A., Mwangi, B., Olaka, L., Bitariho, R., Soromessa, T., Castro, B., & Zafra-Calvo, N. (2022). Everyday adaptation practices by coffee farmers in three mountain regions in Africa. Ecology and Society, 27(4), art32. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-13622-270432
Scientists’ Warning of Threats to Mountains
MRI SLC Member Ignacio Palomo and fellow scientists outline in this publication the major threats to mountain ecosystems. They highlight that imbalances in the normal functioning of mountain ecosystems will lead to changes in vital biological, biochemical, and chemical processes, critically reducing ecosystem health with widespread repercussions for animal and human wellbeing. The article is published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.
Schmeller, D. S., Urbach, D., Bates, K., Catalan, J., Cogălniceanu, D., Fisher, M. C., Friesen, J., Füreder, L., Gaube, V., Haver, M., Jacobsen, D., Le Roux, G., Lin, Y. P., Loyau, A., Machate, O., Mayer, A., Palomo, I., Plutzar, C., Sentenac, H., … Ripple, W. J. (2022). Scientists’ warning of threats to mountains. Science of the Total Environment, 853(September). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158611
Schmeller, D. S., Urbach, D., Bates, K., Catalan, J., Cogălniceanu, D., Fisher, M. C., Friesen, J., Füreder, L., Gaube, V., Haver, M., Jacobsen, D., Le Roux, G., Lin, Y. P., Loyau, A., Machate, O., Mayer, A., Palomo, I., Plutzar, C., Sentenac, H., … Ripple, W. J. (2022). Scientists’ warning of threats to mountains. Science of the Total Environment, 853(September). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158611
Looking Beyond Glaciers To Understand Mountain Water Security
MRI Principal Investigator Christian Huggel is among the authors of this publication. The article published in Nature Sustainability calls for a refocusing from glaciohydrological monitoring and modelling to a more integrated social-ecological perspective of the wider catchment hydrology that can improve the assessment of mountain water security.
Drenkhan, F., Buytaert, W., Mackay, J. D., Barrand, N. E., Hannah, D. M., & Huggel, C. (2022). Looking beyond glaciers to understand mountain water security. Nature Sustainability 2022, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-022-00996-4
Drenkhan, F., Buytaert, W., Mackay, J. D., Barrand, N. E., Hannah, D. M., & Huggel, C. (2022). Looking beyond glaciers to understand mountain water security. Nature Sustainability 2022, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-022-00996-4
Editorial: Knowledge Gaps From the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate and Recent Advances (Volumes I and II)
This Frontiers in Climate Editorial, co-authored by MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler, introduces a collection of papers which acknowledge and address the knowledge gaps identified in the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) in more depth, and capture recent advances to address these issues.
Derksen, C., Adler, C., Collins, M., & Sebesvari, Z. (2022). Editorial: Knowledge gaps from the IPCC special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate and recent advances (volumes I and II). Frontiers in Climate, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2022.983144
Derksen, C., Adler, C., Collins, M., & Sebesvari, Z. (2022). Editorial: Knowledge gaps from the IPCC special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate and recent advances (volumes I and II). Frontiers in Climate, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2022.983144
Late Pleistocene Montane Forest Fire Return Interval Estimates From Mount Kenya
In this publication MRI SLC member Robert Marchant and co-authors reconstruct past forest fire events and fire frequencies with sediment–charcoal records at lake catchment spatial scales. They discuss the potential to use these types of data for characterizing variables of fire regimes prior to ostensibly significant modification by anthropogenic activity as well as during the recent past as human land use pressures increased within Afromontane forest.
Courtney Mustaphi, C. J., Rucina, S. M., & Marchant, R. (2022). Late Pleistocene montane forest fire return interval estimates from Mount Kenya. Journal of Quaternary Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.3466
Courtney Mustaphi, C. J., Rucina, S. M., & Marchant, R. (2022). Late Pleistocene montane forest fire return interval estimates from Mount Kenya. Journal of Quaternary Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.3466
Human Populations in the World’s Mountains: Spatio-Temporal Patterns and Potential Controls
MRI Scientific Project Officer, James Thornton, authored this research article published in the journal PLOS ONE. Thornton and co-authors develop and implement an open workflow to quantify the sensitivity of mountain population estimates over recent decades, both globally and for several sets of relevant reporting regions, to alternative input dataset combinations.
Thornton, J. M., Snethlage, M. A., Sayre, R., Urbach, D. R., Viviroli, D., Ehrlich, D., Muccione, V., Wester, P., Insarov, G., & Adler, C. (2022). Human populations in the world’s mountains: Spatio-temporal patterns and potential controls. PLoS ONE, 17(7 July), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271466
Thornton, J. M., Snethlage, M. A., Sayre, R., Urbach, D. R., Viviroli, D., Ehrlich, D., Muccione, V., Wester, P., Insarov, G., & Adler, C. (2022). Human populations in the world’s mountains: Spatio-temporal patterns and potential controls. PLoS ONE, 17(7 July), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271466
Mountain Research Initiative: 20 Years of Making Connections for Our Changing Mountains
In 2021, the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) Coordination Office celebrated its 20th anniversary. The milestone is testament to the efforts of a dynamic global community of researchers. This publication showcases just a few of the many key contributions made by the MRI community, and invites those who have been part of its 20-year history to share their reflections on the past, present, and future of the network.
Mountain Research Initiative (2022). 20 Years of Making Connections for Our Changing Mountains. Bern, Mountain Research Initiative. https://www.doi.org/10.48350/171161
Mountain Research Initiative (2022). 20 Years of Making Connections for Our Changing Mountains. Bern, Mountain Research Initiative. https://www.doi.org/10.48350/171161
Leave No Mountain Behind: Disaster Risk Reduction for All
MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler contributed to this issue brief elaborated in collaboration with Zoï Environment Network and the Adaptation@Altitude programme. The brief explains how development failures and the consequences of climate change are increasing the likelihood of disasters in the mountains, and considers the priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in light of mountain hazards. Short cases studies illustrate successful strategies across the globe.
Saalismaa, N., Geoff, H., Adler, C. (Mountain R. I., Allen, S. (University of G., Kaufmann, M. (SDC), Mackey, A. (Zoï), Simonett, O. (Zoï), Vij, S. (University of G., Wymann, S. (Centre for D. and E., & Reduction, U. N. O. for D. R. (2022). Leave No Mountain Behind: Disaster Risk Reduction for All. Zoï Environment Network.
Saalismaa, N., Geoff, H., Adler, C. (Mountain R. I., Allen, S. (University of G., Kaufmann, M. (SDC), Mackey, A. (Zoï), Simonett, O. (Zoï), Vij, S. (University of G., Wymann, S. (Centre for D. and E., & Reduction, U. N. O. for D. R. (2022). Leave No Mountain Behind: Disaster Risk Reduction for All. Zoï Environment Network.
Structural Change in Agriculture and Farmers’ Social Contacts: Insights From a Swiss Mountain Region
This publication, co-authored by MRI Principal Investigator Adrienne Grêt-Regamey and published in the journal Agricultural Systems, sheds light on the relationships between (changing) farm structures and social connections in a Swiss mountain region through combining a farm’ survey with agricultural census data.
Junquera, V., Rubenstein, D. I., Grêt-Regamey, A., & Knaus, F. (2022). Structural change in agriculture and farmers’ social contacts: Insights from a Swiss mountain region. Agricultural Systems, 200, 103435. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGSY.2022.103435
Junquera, V., Rubenstein, D. I., Grêt-Regamey, A., & Knaus, F. (2022). Structural change in agriculture and farmers’ social contacts: Insights from a Swiss mountain region. Agricultural Systems, 200, 103435. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGSY.2022.103435
Trendwende Klima UND Biodiversität Parlament Trifft Wissenschaft
As authors of the recent IPCC Working Group II report Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler and MRI Principal Investigator Christian Huggel were among the researchers invited to the Swiss Parliament for an exchange with politicians on the challenges of the climate and biodiversity crisis. This brochure published in the Swiss Academies Communications is a result of the meetings preparatory work, summarizing the most intriguing findings from the PCC AR6 and IPBES reports.
SCNAT. (2022). Trendwende Klima und Biodiversität Parlament trifft Wissenschaft. In Swiss Academies Communications (Vol. 17, Issue 6). Swiss Academies of Science. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.645201
SCNAT. (2022). Trendwende Klima und Biodiversität Parlament trifft Wissenschaft. In Swiss Academies Communications (Vol. 17, Issue 6). Swiss Academies of Science. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.645201
Coverage of in Situ Climatological Observations in the World’s Mountains
In this GEO Mountains research article, published in the journal Frontiers, Thornton et al. analyse the coverage of in situ climatological observations across the world's mountains. Spatial mountain data coverage is found to be highly uneven, with station densities in several “Water Tower Units” that were previously identified as having great hydrological importance to society being especially low.
Thornton, J. M., Pepin, N., Shahgedanova, M., & Adler, C. (2022). Coverage of In Situ Climatological Observations in the World’s Mountains. Frontiers in Climate, 0, 41. https://doi.org/10.3389/FCLIM.2022.814181
Thornton, J. M., Pepin, N., Shahgedanova, M., & Adler, C. (2022). Coverage of In Situ Climatological Observations in the World’s Mountains. Frontiers in Climate, 0, 41. https://doi.org/10.3389/FCLIM.2022.814181
Current and Future Water Balance for Coupled Human-Natural Systems – Insights From a Glacierized Catchment in Peru
MRI Principal Investigator Christian Huggel and colleagues developed an integrated model that analyzes different trajectories of water availability including hydro-climatic (water supply) and socio-economic (water demand) variables with consistent multi-descriptor future scenarios in the Santa River basin, Peru.
Motschmann, A., Teutsch, C., Huggel, C., Seidel, J., León, C. D., Muñoz, R., Sienel, J., Drenkhan, F., & Weimer-Jehle, W. (2022). Current and future water balance for coupled human-natural systems – Insights from a glacierized catchment in Peru. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 41, 101063. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EJRH.2022.101063
Motschmann, A., Teutsch, C., Huggel, C., Seidel, J., León, C. D., Muñoz, R., Sienel, J., Drenkhan, F., & Weimer-Jehle, W. (2022). Current and future water balance for coupled human-natural systems – Insights from a glacierized catchment in Peru. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 41, 101063. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EJRH.2022.101063
Joint Endeavor Toward Sustainable Mountain Development: Research at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
This article is a joint effort of individual researchers at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, including MRI SLC member Margreth Keiler. The article highlights their views on mountains as research objects, the phenomena they investigate as parts of entire mountain systems, and the synergies and differences of the disciplinary frames within which they work.
Bardy-Durchhalter, M., Bender, O., Bertolotti, G., Branca, D., Braun, V., Bohleber, P., Festi, D., Fischer, A., Gschwentner, A., Hartl, L., Haller, A., Helfricht, K., Hiller, C., Heinrich, K., Janicke, A., Keiler, M., Köck, G., Kratzer, A., Lamprecht, A., … Zieher, T. (2022). Joint Endeavor Toward Sustainable Mountain Development: Research at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Mountain Research and Development, 42(1), P1–P4. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-22-00002.1
Bardy-Durchhalter, M., Bender, O., Bertolotti, G., Branca, D., Braun, V., Bohleber, P., Festi, D., Fischer, A., Gschwentner, A., Hartl, L., Haller, A., Helfricht, K., Hiller, C., Heinrich, K., Janicke, A., Keiler, M., Köck, G., Kratzer, A., Lamprecht, A., … Zieher, T. (2022). Joint Endeavor Toward Sustainable Mountain Development: Research at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Mountain Research and Development, 42(1), P1–P4. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-22-00002.1
Climate Change-Related Risks and Adaptation Potential in Central and South America During the 21st Century
MRI Principal Investigator Christian Huggel and co-authors undertook a comprehensive review and synthesis of climate-related risks in Central and South America during the 21st century. They find that climate change may increase the risk to severe levels for several topical risk clusters (e.g. Food insecurity or water scarcity). The article is published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
Hagen, I., Huggel, C., Ramajo, L., Chacón, N., Ometto, J. P., Postigo, J. C., & Castellanos, E. J. (2022). Climate change-related risks and adaptation potential in Central and South America during the 21st century. Environmental Research Letters, 17(3), 033002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/AC5271
Hagen, I., Huggel, C., Ramajo, L., Chacón, N., Ometto, J. P., Postigo, J. C., & Castellanos, E. J. (2022). Climate change-related risks and adaptation potential in Central and South America during the 21st century. Environmental Research Letters, 17(3), 033002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/AC5271
The International Mountain Conference, Innsbruck, Austria, September 2019 (IMC2019): A Synthesis With Recommendations for Research
Carolina Adler, MRI Executive Director, is a co-author of this publication. The paper presents a synthesis of the outcomes of sessions and recommendations for future research in mountain areas from the International Mountain Conference (IMC), held in Innsbruck, Austria, in September 2019.
Price, M. F., Gurgiser, W., Juen, I., Adler, C., Dach, S. W. von, Kaser, G., Mayr, S., & Moderators, contributing I. (2022). The International Mountain Conference, Innsbruck, Austria, September 2019 (IMC2019): A Synthesis with Recommendations for Research. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00027.1, 42(1), A1–A16.
Price, M. F., Gurgiser, W., Juen, I., Adler, C., Dach, S. W. von, Kaser, G., Mayr, S., & Moderators, contributing I. (2022). The International Mountain Conference, Innsbruck, Austria, September 2019 (IMC2019): A Synthesis with Recommendations for Research. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00027.1, 42(1), A1–A16.
Ten Facts About Land Systems for Sustainability
In this article in the journal of the National Academy of Science of the USA PNAS , MRI SLC Member Ricardo Grau and co-authors synthesize knowledge accumulated in land systems science, the integrated study of terrestrial social-ecological systems. Their findings are presented in 10 key facts or principals that can guide scientists, policy makers and practitioners toward meeting sustainability challenges in land use.
Meyfroidt, P., De Bremond, A., Ryan, C. M., Archer, E., Aspinall, R., Chhabra, A., Camara, G., Corbera, E., Defries, R., Iaz, S. D., Dong, J., Ellis, E. C., Erb, K.-H., Fisher, J. A., Garrett, R. D., Golubiewski, N. E., Grau, H. R., Grove, J. M., Haberl, H., … Zu Ermgassen, E. K. H. J. (2022). Ten facts about land systems for sustainability. PNAS, 119(7). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2109217118
Meyfroidt, P., De Bremond, A., Ryan, C. M., Archer, E., Aspinall, R., Chhabra, A., Camara, G., Corbera, E., Defries, R., Iaz, S. D., Dong, J., Ellis, E. C., Erb, K.-H., Fisher, J. A., Garrett, R. D., Golubiewski, N. E., Grau, H. R., Grove, J. M., Haberl, H., … Zu Ermgassen, E. K. H. J. (2022). Ten facts about land systems for sustainability. PNAS, 119(7). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2109217118
Assessment Principles for Glacier and Permafrost Hazards in Mountain Regions
Christian Huggel, MRI Principal Investigator, has co-authored this paper published in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Natural Hazard Science. The article identifies the need for future-oriented scenarios to be integrated into the assessment of glacier and permafrost hazards.
Allen, S., Frey, H., Haeberli, W., Huggel, C., Chiarle, M., & Geertsema, M. (2022). Assessment Principles for Glacier and Permafrost Hazards in Mountain Regions. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Natural Hazard Science (Issue February). https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199389407.013.356
Allen, S., Frey, H., Haeberli, W., Huggel, C., Chiarle, M., & Geertsema, M. (2022). Assessment Principles for Glacier and Permafrost Hazards in Mountain Regions. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Natural Hazard Science (Issue February). https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199389407.013.356
Climate Changes and Their Elevational Patterns in the Mountains of the World
This article is authored by Nick Pepin, the lead of the MRI Working Group on Elevation-Dependent Climate Change. Co-authors include MRI Executive director Carolina Adler and MRI Scientific Project Officer James Thornton. Using gridded data sets the article examines elevation-dependent changes in warming and precipitation on a global scale.
Pepin, N. C., Arnone, E., Gobiet, A., Haslinger, K., Kotlarski, S., Notarnicola, C., Palazzi, E., Seibert, P., Serafin, S., Schöner, W., Terzago, S., Thornton, J. M., Vuille, M., & Adler, C (2022). Climate changes and their elevational patterns in the mountains of the world. Reviews of Geophysics. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020RG000730
Pepin, N. C., Arnone, E., Gobiet, A., Haslinger, K., Kotlarski, S., Notarnicola, C., Palazzi, E., Seibert, P., Serafin, S., Schöner, W., Terzago, S., Thornton, J. M., Vuille, M., & Adler, C (2022). Climate changes and their elevational patterns in the mountains of the world. Reviews of Geophysics. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020RG000730
Mountain Freshwater Ecosystems and Protected Areas in the Tropical Andes: Insights and Gaps for Climate Change Adaptation
Estefania Quenta-Herrera wrote this review article as part of the MRI's Mentoring and Training Program in IPCC Processes for Early Career Mountain Researchers. MRI co-authors include former Scientific Project Officer Aino Kulonen and current SLC member Bryan Mark. The article provides systematic information on PA protection of high-elevation freshwater ecosystems (e.g., lakes and watersheds with glaciers), their biodiversity, and their ecosystem services in the tropical Andes.
Quenta, E., Crespo-Pérez, V., Mark, B., Gonzales, A. L., & Kulonen, A. (2021). Mountain freshwater ecosystems and protected areas in the tropical Andes: insights and gaps for climate change adaptation. Environmental Conservation, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892921000382
Quenta, E., Crespo-Pérez, V., Mark, B., Gonzales, A. L., & Kulonen, A. (2021). Mountain freshwater ecosystems and protected areas in the tropical Andes: insights and gaps for climate change adaptation. Environmental Conservation, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892921000382
Adapting To Receding Glaciers in the Tropical Andes
In this article in the American Geophysical Union (AGU) news magazine Eos, Tania Rojas, Jorge Abad, and others describe research efforts making use of traditional and innovative survey methods to study glacier retreat and dynamics in the Andes. This article resulted from an MRI-funded Synthesis Workshop.
Rojas, T. V., Quincey, D., Rau, P., Horna-Muñoz, D., & Abad, J. D. (2021). Adapting to Receding Glaciers in the Tropical Andes. Eos, 102. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EO210525
Rojas, T. V., Quincey, D., Rau, P., Horna-Muñoz, D., & Abad, J. D. (2021). Adapting to Receding Glaciers in the Tropical Andes. Eos, 102. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EO210525
Adaptation to Climate Change Induced Water Stress in Major Glacierized Mountain Regions
Anubha Aggarwal, a participant in the MRI's Mentoring and Training Program in IPCC Processes for Early Career Mountain Researchers, is the lead author of this article in the journal Climate and Development. The article presents a global systematic review that assesses different water-related stressors and the adaptation responses to manage water stress in major glaciated mountain regions.
Aggarwal, A., Frey, H., McDowell, G., Drenkhan, F., Nüsser, M., Racoviteanu, A., & Hoelzle, M. (2021). Adaptation to climate change induced water stress in major glacierized mountain regions. Climate and Development, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2021.1971059
Aggarwal, A., Frey, H., McDowell, G., Drenkhan, F., Nüsser, M., Racoviteanu, A., & Hoelzle, M. (2021). Adaptation to climate change induced water stress in major glacierized mountain regions. Climate and Development, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2021.1971059
Challenges for Governing Mountains Sustainably: Insights From a Global Survey
MRI Mountain Governance Working Group Lead Catherine Tucker is the lead author of this article in the journal Mountain Research and Development (MRD). Co-authors include MRI SLC members Irasema Alcántara-Ayala and Elizabeth Jiménez Zamora, as well as MRI Mountain Governance Working Group members Alexey Gunya, Julia A. Klein, and Xu Jun. They shed light on the main challenges that impede sustainable mountain governance at the local level.
Tucker, C. M., Alcántara-Ayala, I., Gunya, A., Jimenez, E., Klein, J. A., Xu, J., & Bigler, S. L. (2021). Challenges for Governing Mountains Sustainably: Insights From a Global Survey. Mountain Research and Development, 41(2), R10–R20. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00080.1
Tucker, C. M., Alcántara-Ayala, I., Gunya, A., Jimenez, E., Klein, J. A., Xu, J., & Bigler, S. L. (2021). Challenges for Governing Mountains Sustainably: Insights From a Global Survey. Mountain Research and Development, 41(2), R10–R20. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00080.1
Toward a Definition of Essential Mountain Climate Variables
In this article in the journal One Earth, MRI Scientific Project Officer James Thornton and co-authors propose a set of potential Essential Mountain Climate Variables to support the monitoring and understanding of key climate change-related mountain processes. The article builds upon a workshop organized by GEO Mountains and hosted by the MRI.
Thornton, J.M., Palazzi, E., Pepin, N.C., Cristofanelli, P., Essery, R., Kotlarski, S., Giuliani, G., Guigoz, Y., Kulonen, A., Pritchard, D., Li, X., Fowler, H.J., Randin, C.F., Shahgedanova, M., Steinbacher, M., Zebisch, M., and Adler, C. (2021). Toward a definition of Essential Mountain Climate Variables. One Earth, 4(6). doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2021.05.005
Thornton, J.M., Palazzi, E., Pepin, N.C., Cristofanelli, P., Essery, R., Kotlarski, S., Giuliani, G., Guigoz, Y., Kulonen, A., Pritchard, D., Li, X., Fowler, H.J., Randin, C.F., Shahgedanova, M., Steinbacher, M., Zebisch, M., and Adler, C. (2021). Toward a definition of Essential Mountain Climate Variables. One Earth, 4(6). doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2021.05.005
Mountain Observatories: Status and Prospects for Enhancing and Connecting a Global Community
MRI SLC member and Mountain Observatories Working Group Lead Maria Shahgedanova is the lead author of this article in the journal Mountain Research and Development (MRD). Co-authors include MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler; MRI Co-PI Christian Huggel; MRI Elevation-Dependent Climate Change Working Group Lead Nick Pepin; and MRI SLC members Aster Gebrekirstos, Ricardo Grau, and Rob Marchant, among others. They identify geographical and thematic gaps as well as recent advances in monitoring of biophysical and socioeconomic variables in mountains, and propose ways to connect existing initiatives, support emerging areas, and develop new mountain observatory networks regionally and globally.
Shahgedanova, M., Adler, C., Gebrekirstos, A., Grau, H. R., Huggel, C., Marchant, R., Pepin, N., Vanacker, V., Viviroli, D., & Vuille, M. (2021). Mountain Observatories: Status and Prospects for Enhancing and Connecting a Global Community. Mountain Research and Development, 41(2). https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1
Shahgedanova, M., Adler, C., Gebrekirstos, A., Grau, H. R., Huggel, C., Marchant, R., Pepin, N., Vanacker, V., Viviroli, D., & Vuille, M. (2021). Mountain Observatories: Status and Prospects for Enhancing and Connecting a Global Community. Mountain Research and Development, 41(2). https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1
Co-Production of Knowledge and Sustainability Transformations: A Strategic Compass for Global Research Networks
In this article in the journal Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler and co-authors investigated how eleven global sustainability-oriented research networks – the MRI among them – can effectively contribute to co-production of knowledge and action towards sustainability transformations, and introduced a strategic tool to support this process.
Schneider, F., Tribaldos, T., Adler, C., Biggs, R. (Oonsie), de Bremond, A., Buser, T., Krug, C., Loutre, M.-F., Moore, S., Norström, A. V, Paulavets, K., Urbach, D., Spehn, E., Wülser, G., & Zondervan, R. (2021). Co-production of knowledge and sustainability transformations: a strategic compass for global research networks. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 49, 127–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2021.04.007
Schneider, F., Tribaldos, T., Adler, C., Biggs, R. (Oonsie), de Bremond, A., Buser, T., Krug, C., Loutre, M.-F., Moore, S., Norström, A. V, Paulavets, K., Urbach, D., Spehn, E., Wülser, G., & Zondervan, R. (2021). Co-production of knowledge and sustainability transformations: a strategic compass for global research networks. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 49, 127–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2021.04.007
Assessing Nature-Based Solutions for Transformative Change
In this article in the journal One Earth, Ignacio Palomo presents a new framework to assess transformative change with nature-based solutions (NbS), which resulted from an MRI-funded Synthesis Workshop.
Ignacio Palomo, Bruno Locatelli, Iago Otero, Matthew Colloff, Emilie Crouzat, Aida Cuni-Sanchez, Erik Gómez-Baggethun, Alberto González-García, Adrienne Grêt-Regamey, Amanda Jiménez-Aceituno, Berta Martín-López, Unai Pascual, Noelia Zafra-Calvo, Enora Bruley, Marie Fischborn, Rosmarie Metz, and Sandra Lavorel. "Assessing nature-based solutions for transformative change," One Earth 4(5), 1–12, (14 May 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2021.04.013
Ignacio Palomo, Bruno Locatelli, Iago Otero, Matthew Colloff, Emilie Crouzat, Aida Cuni-Sanchez, Erik Gómez-Baggethun, Alberto González-García, Adrienne Grêt-Regamey, Amanda Jiménez-Aceituno, Berta Martín-López, Unai Pascual, Noelia Zafra-Calvo, Enora Bruley, Marie Fischborn, Rosmarie Metz, and Sandra Lavorel. "Assessing nature-based solutions for transformative change," One Earth 4(5), 1–12, (14 May 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2021.04.013
Climate Change Adaptation in European Mountain Systems: A Systematic Mapping of Academic Research
In this article in the journal Mountain Research and Development, MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler and co-authors mapped English-language scientific journal articles that analyzed the climate change adaptation options planned or implemented in European mountain regions.
Sumit Vij, Robbert Biesbroek, Carolina Adler, and Veruska Muccione. "Climate Change Adaptation in European Mountain Systems: A Systematic Mapping of Academic Research," Mountain Research and Development 41(1), A1–A6, (11 May 2021). https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00033.1
Sumit Vij, Robbert Biesbroek, Carolina Adler, and Veruska Muccione. "Climate Change Adaptation in European Mountain Systems: A Systematic Mapping of Academic Research," Mountain Research and Development 41(1), A1–A6, (11 May 2021). https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00033.1
Policy Brief: Indicators for Elevating Mountains in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
This policy brief highlights assessment indicators considered important for safeguarding mountain biodiversity and ecosystem integrity in line with previous policy recommendations to elevate mountains in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
GRID-Arendal, the UN Environment Programme, the Mountain Research Initiative, and the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA) collaborated on the brief. It received financial support from the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg through the Vanishing Treasures project.
UNEP, GMBA, MRI, and GRID-Arendal (2021). Indicators for Elevating Mountains in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
UNEP, GMBA, MRI, and GRID-Arendal (2021). Indicators for Elevating Mountains in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
Focus Issue: How Can Education Contribute To Sustainable Mountain Development? Past, Present, and Future Perspectives
MRI Chair Jörg Balsiger and former MountainMedia Editor Martin Price guest-edited this focus issue of the journal Mountain Research and Development (MRD) and contributed an editorial. This focus issue offers some answers to the question of how education can contribute to sustainable development in mountain areas. Articles present examples and insights from around the world. Covering a wide range of formal and informal education at all levels, including practical training and lifelong learning opportunities, they provide a basis for future research, policy, and action.
Balsiger, J., & Price, M. F. (2020). Focus Issue: How Can Education Contribute to Sustainable Mountain Development? Past, Present, and Future Perspectives. Mountain Research and Development, 40(4), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd.4004
Balsiger, J., & Price, M. F. (2020). Focus Issue: How Can Education Contribute to Sustainable Mountain Development? Past, Present, and Future Perspectives. Mountain Research and Development, 40(4), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd.4004
Education for Sustainable Mountain Development: Preliminary Insights From a Web-Based Survey of Opportunities
In this article in the journal Mountain Research and Development (MRD), MRI Chair Jörg Balsiger, Kenichi Ueno, and Martin Price share results from the activities of the MRI's Education for Sustainable Mountain Development (ESMD) Working Group.
Ueno, K., Balsiger, J., & Price, M. F. (2020). Education for Sustainable Mountain Development: Preliminary Insights From a Web-based Survey of Opportunities. Mountain Research and Development, 40(4), R1–R8. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00026.1
Ueno, K., Balsiger, J., & Price, M. F. (2020). Education for Sustainable Mountain Development: Preliminary Insights From a Web-based Survey of Opportunities. Mountain Research and Development, 40(4), R1–R8. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00026.1
Making Connections for Our Changing Mountains: Future Directions for the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI)
In this article in the journal Mountain Research and Development, MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler and SLC members outline future directions for developing the MRI network, as well as flagship and community-led activities linking and scaling interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research efforts within and across mountain regions worldwide.
Carolina Adler, Jörg Balsiger, Adrienne Grêt-Regamey, Andreas Heinimann, Christian Huggel, Rolf Weingartner, Irasema Alcántara-Ayala, Aster Gebrekirstos, Ricardo Grau, Elizabeth Jimenez, Robert Marchant, Bryan Mark, Shawn Marshall, Samuel Morin, Maria Shahgedanova, Mandira Singh Shrestha, and Jianchu Xu. "Making Connections for Our Changing Mountains: Future Directions for the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI)," Mountain Research and Development 40(3), P1-P6, (18 November 2020). https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00045.1
Carolina Adler, Jörg Balsiger, Adrienne Grêt-Regamey, Andreas Heinimann, Christian Huggel, Rolf Weingartner, Irasema Alcántara-Ayala, Aster Gebrekirstos, Ricardo Grau, Elizabeth Jimenez, Robert Marchant, Bryan Mark, Shawn Marshall, Samuel Morin, Maria Shahgedanova, Mandira Singh Shrestha, and Jianchu Xu. "Making Connections for Our Changing Mountains: Future Directions for the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI)," Mountain Research and Development 40(3), P1-P6, (18 November 2020). https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00045.1
A Global Framework for Linking Alpine-Treeline Ecotone Patterns To Underlying Processes
In this article in the journal Ecography, Maaike Bader presents a new framework for describing alpine treeline ecotones, which resulted from an MRI-funded Synthesis Workshop.
Maaike Bader, Luis Llambí, Bradley Case, Hannah Buckley, Johanna Toivonen, J. Camarero, David Cairns, Carissa Brown, Thorsten Wiegand, and Lynn Resler. "A global framework for linking alpine-treeline ecotone patters to underlying processes," Ecography 44(2), 265-292, (9 November 2020). https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.05285
Maaike Bader, Luis Llambí, Bradley Case, Hannah Buckley, Johanna Toivonen, J. Camarero, David Cairns, Carissa Brown, Thorsten Wiegand, and Lynn Resler. "A global framework for linking alpine-treeline ecotone patters to underlying processes," Ecography 44(2), 265-292, (9 November 2020). https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.05285
Mountains as Contexts for Global Change: Interdisciplinary Experiences, Challenges and New Perspectives Across the Natural and Social Sciences
MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler and Chair Jörg Balsiger, along with Iago Otero and Emmanuel Raynard from the Interdisciplinary Centre for Mountain Research (CIRM), convened this symposium at the 18th Swiss Geoscience Meeting in November 2020. The session showcased the challenges of and opportunities for research and collaboration among natural and social scientists dealing with global change issues in mountain regions.
Adler, C., Otero, I., Raynard, E.; & Balsiger, J. (2020). Session 27: Mountains as contexts for global change: interdisciplinary experiences, challenges and new perspectives across the natural and social sciences. In: 18th Swiss Geosciences Meeting. Zurich: Platform Geosciences, Swiss Academy of Sciences, SCNAT. https://boris.unibe.ch/147606/
Adler, C., Otero, I., Raynard, E.; & Balsiger, J. (2020). Session 27: Mountains as contexts for global change: interdisciplinary experiences, challenges and new perspectives across the natural and social sciences. In: 18th Swiss Geosciences Meeting. Zurich: Platform Geosciences, Swiss Academy of Sciences, SCNAT. https://boris.unibe.ch/147606/
GEO-GNOME Workshop “Identifying Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVS) and Essential Societal Variables (ESVS) in Mountain Environments”
The Global Network on Observations and Information in Mountain Environments (GEO Mountains, formerly GEO-GNOME) convened this workshop in February 2020 in Zürich, Switzerland. The workshop was led by the GEO-GNOME co-leads Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) and the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council (ISAC-CNR), with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA), and the US Geological Survey (USGS).
This report summarizes the objectives and outcomes of the workshop, which include the selection of EBVs and ESVs required to observe, monitor and inform on changes in mountain biodiversity and mountain social-ecological systems.
Kulonen, A., Adler, C., & Palazzi, E. (2020). GEO-GNOME Workshop "Identifying Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and Essential Societal Variables (ESVs) in Mountain Environments." Global Network for Observations and Information in Mountain Environments. Bern: Mountain Research Initiative (MRI). https://boris.unibe.ch/144872/
Kulonen, A., Adler, C., & Palazzi, E. (2020). GEO-GNOME Workshop "Identifying Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and Essential Societal Variables (ESVs) in Mountain Environments." Global Network for Observations and Information in Mountain Environments. Bern: Mountain Research Initiative (MRI). https://boris.unibe.ch/144872/
High Mountain Summit: Outcomes and Outlook
As Co-Chairs for the WMO High Mountains Summit held in October 2019 in Geneva, MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler and John Pomeroy from the Global Water Futures programme collaborated with Rodica Nitu (WMO Project Manager for the Global Cryosphere Watch) in their article titled 'High Mountain Summit: Outcomes and Outlook', in which they recap the results of the summit and the activities that followed since then.
Adler, C., Pomeroy, J., & Nitu, R. (2020). High Mountain Summit: Outcomes and Outlook. WMO Bulletin, 69(10): 34-37. https://public.wmo.int/en/resources/bulletin/articles-by-themes?tid-type-bulletin=589
Adler, C., Pomeroy, J., & Nitu, R. (2020). High Mountain Summit: Outcomes and Outlook. WMO Bulletin, 69(10): 34-37. https://public.wmo.int/en/resources/bulletin/articles-by-themes?tid-type-bulletin=589
Policy Brief: Elevating Mountains in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework 2.0
This policy brief builds on previous efforts to showcase mountains that began as part of the first meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group held in Nairobi in August 2019, and articulates the myriad ways mountains contribute to global biodiversity on Earth, and its contributions to communities and their well-being.
This policy brief was prepared by GRIDA and UN Environment in collaboration with MRI and GMBA, GRASP, the Alpine Convention and the Carpathian Convention, and received financial support from the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg through the UN Environment Vanishing Treasures project.
UNEP, GRID-Arendal, GMBA and MRI (2020). Elevating Mountains in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework 2.0.
UNEP, GRID-Arendal, GMBA and MRI (2020). Elevating Mountains in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework 2.0.
10 New Insights in Climate Science 2019
With MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler among the publication's contributing authors, '10 New Insights in Climate Science' was presented to UNFCCCs Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) in Madrid, 6 December, 2019.
The report highlights the most recent advances over the last 12 months in the scientific understanding of the drivers, effects, and impacts of climate change, as well as societal responses.
Pihl, E., Martin, M.A., Blome, T., Hebden, S., Jarzebski, M.P., Lambino, R.A., Köhler, C., Canadell, J.G., Ebi, K.L., Edenhofer, O., Gaffney, O., Rockström, J., Roy, J., Srivastava, L., Payne, D.R., Adler, C., Watts, S., Jacobsson, L., Sonntag, S., 10 New Insights in Climate Science 2019, Future Earth & The Earth League, Stockholm, 2019
Pihl, E., Martin, M.A., Blome, T., Hebden, S., Jarzebski, M.P., Lambino, R.A., Köhler, C., Canadell, J.G., Ebi, K.L., Edenhofer, O., Gaffney, O., Rockström, J., Roy, J., Srivastava, L., Payne, D.R., Adler, C., Watts, S., Jacobsson, L., Sonntag, S., 10 New Insights in Climate Science 2019, Future Earth & The Earth League, Stockholm, 2019
Regional Environmental Change Special Issue | Climate Change in the Mountain Cryosphere: Impacts and Responses
This MRI-led special issue of the journal Regional Environmental Change seeks to highlight contributions from the mountain research community to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment cycle, focusing on the impacts of climate change on the high-mountain cryosphere and downstream regions – as well as responses to these impacts.
Adler, C., Huggel, C., Orlove, B. et al. 'Climate Change in the Mountain Cryosphere: Impacts and Responses' [Special Issue] Regional Environmental Change (2019) 19. 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-019-01507-6
Adler, C., Huggel, C., Orlove, B. et al. 'Climate Change in the Mountain Cryosphere: Impacts and Responses' [Special Issue] Regional Environmental Change (2019) 19. 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-019-01507-6
Spatial Context Matters in Monitoring and Reporting on Sustainable Development Goals: Reflections Based on Research in Mountain Regions
This article highlights the importance of spatial context in monitoring and reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals. With reflections based on research in mountain regions, the paper calls for data collection methodologies and review schemes that take into account how SDGs may be reflected at sub-national and regional levels.
This publication in the GAIA Open Access Thematic Issue: Research for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was developed by the MRI and the Center for Development and Environment (CDE), as part of our collaboration on the Sustainable Mountain Development for Global Change (SMD4GC) programme.
Kulonen A., Adler C., Bracher C. & Wymann von Dach S. 'Spatial context matters in monitoring and reporting on Sustainable Development Goals - Reflections based on research in mountain regions.' GAIA (2019) 28/2,90-94. https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.28.2.5
Kulonen A., Adler C., Bracher C. & Wymann von Dach S. 'Spatial context matters in monitoring and reporting on Sustainable Development Goals - Reflections based on research in mountain regions.' GAIA (2019) 28/2,90-94. https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.28.2.5
Leaving No One in Mountains Behind: Localizing the SDGs for Resilience of Mountain People and Ecosystems
In this Issue Brief, the MRI and the Center for Development and Environment (CDE) present initial steps towards localization of the 2030 Agenda to mountain areas.
Wymann von Dach, S., Bracher, C., Peralvo, M., Perez, K., Adler, C., and a group of contributing authors. 2018. 'Leaving No One in Mountains Behind: Localizing the SDGs for Resilience of Mountain People and Ecosystems.' Issue Brief on Sustainable Mountain Development. Bern, Switzerland: Centre for Development and Environment and Mountain Research Initiative, with Bern Open Publishing (BOP)
Wymann von Dach, S., Bracher, C., Peralvo, M., Perez, K., Adler, C., and a group of contributing authors. 2018. 'Leaving No One in Mountains Behind: Localizing the SDGs for Resilience of Mountain People and Ecosystems.' Issue Brief on Sustainable Mountain Development. Bern, Switzerland: Centre for Development and Environment and Mountain Research Initiative, with Bern Open Publishing (BOP)
Monitoring Mountains in a Changing World: New Horizons for the Global Network for Observations and Information in Mountain Environments (GEO GNOME)
A proposed roadmap for monitoring global change in mountains at various levels and in various contexts, with a view to responding to the integrated knowledge needs of policy, research, and management.
Carolina Adler, Elisa Palazzi, Aino Kulonen, Jörg Balsiger, Guido Colangeli, Douglas Cripe, Nathan Forsythe, Grace Goss-Durant, Yaniss Guigoz, Jürg Krauer, Davnah Payne, Nicholas Pepin, Manuel Peralvo, José Romero, Roger Sayre, Maria Shahgedanova, Rolf Weingartner, Marc Zebisch. 2018. 'Monitoring Mountains in a Changing World: New Horizons for the Global Network for Observations and Information in Mountain Environments (GEO GNOME).' Mountain Research and Development, 38(3):265-269. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-8-00065.1
Carolina Adler, Elisa Palazzi, Aino Kulonen, Jörg Balsiger, Guido Colangeli, Douglas Cripe, Nathan Forsythe, Grace Goss-Durant, Yaniss Guigoz, Jürg Krauer, Davnah Payne, Nicholas Pepin, Manuel Peralvo, José Romero, Roger Sayre, Maria Shahgedanova, Rolf Weingartner, Marc Zebisch. 2018. 'Monitoring Mountains in a Changing World: New Horizons for the Global Network for Observations and Information in Mountain Environments (GEO GNOME).' Mountain Research and Development, 38(3):265-269. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-8-00065.1
Challenges and Opportunities in Assessing Sustainable Mountain Development Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals
An evidence-informed preliminary assessment of an SDG indicator subset tailored to a SMD context was performed in a desktop study from September to December 2017.
An evidence-informed preliminary assessment of an SDG indicator subset tailored to a SMD context was performed in a desktop study from September to December 2017.
Bracher C, Wymann von Dach S, Adler C. 2018. 'Challenges and Opportunities in Assessing Sustainable Mountain Development Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals.' A Report Compiled by the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), in Collaboration with the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE). CDE Working Paper 3. Bern, Switzerland: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE). https://doi.org/10.7892/boris.119737
Bracher C, Wymann von Dach S, Adler C. 2018. 'Challenges and Opportunities in Assessing Sustainable Mountain Development Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals.' A Report Compiled by the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), in Collaboration with the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE). CDE Working Paper 3. Bern, Switzerland: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE). https://doi.org/10.7892/boris.119737
Massive collapse of two glaciers in western Tibet in 2016 after surge-like instability
Kääb, A.; Leinss, S.; Gilbert, A.; Bühler, Y., Gascoin, S.; Evans, S.; Bartelt, P.; Berthier, E.; Brun, F.; Chao, W.; Farinotti, D.; Gimbert, F.; Guo, W.; Huggel, C.; Kargel, J.; Leonard, G.; Tian, L.; Treichler, D.; Yao, T. (2018): Massive collapse of two glaciers in western Tibet in 2016 after surge-like instability. Nature Geoscience, doi:10.1002/2016EF000514.
2023
Diverse values of nature for sustainability Journal Article
In: Nature, vol. 620, no. 7975, pp. 813–823, 2023, ISSN: 1476-4687.
2022
Human populations in the world’s mountains: Spatio-temporal patterns and potential controls Journal Article
In: Plos one, vol. 17, no. 7, pp. e0271466, 2022.