Mountains around the world are changing due to climate change and human activities. The persistent increase in temperatures is causing glaciers and snowfields to melt. Precipitation patterns are changing, with snow increasingly being replaced by rain at higher altitudes. The rich biodiversity found in many mountain environments is affected by climate trends, which can be further exacerbated by increased human activity. In sum, these trends can weaken local ecosystems that not only perform critical functions but also provide essential services. At higher latitudes, the tree line is moving upward, and more land is becoming available as glaciers and snowfields recede.
This global trend is well documented in the scientific literature and highlighted by organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
The interplay between climate and local ecosystems varies from mountain to mountain, but many aspects are also similar. Mountains influence regional climate through the production of local moisture, temperature gradients, and wind patterns, which in turn affect local hydrology, snow distribution, and ecosystems.
To better understand current and future changes, it is necessary to link and integrate observations with models. This knowledge provides the basis for informed decision-making and thus creates the potential for better management.
To address these challenges, we have established a multidisciplinary center, the Mountain Research Center. Here, we study the consequences of global environmental changes on mountains, local climate, ecosystems, and biodiversity, including national parks and nature reserves.
The research center will produce cutting-edge science that can provide updated understanding and good solutions for the sustainable management of mountains and the people and communities that depend on them.
