Private

FS 3.146

Assessing impacts on natural capital and ecosystem services in mountain areas

Details

Full Title
FS 3.146: Assessing the impacts of environmental drivers on natural capital, ecosystem condition and services, and human well-being in mountain areas
Scheduled
TBA
Location
TBA
Convener
Joan Rabassa-Juvanteny
Co-Conveners
Bernat Claramunt-López, Anaïs Jolivet, Joachim Paul Töpper,
Assigned to Synthesis Workshop
---
Thematic Focus
Conservation, Ecosystems, Monitoring, Socio-Ecology, Sustainable Development
Keywords
Mountain Ecosystems, Climate Change, Land-use Change, Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services

Description

The content was (partly) adapted by AI

Mountain areas worldwide are affected by direct and indirect drivers of change, including climate change and land-use and land-cover change (LULCC). These drivers significantly impact natural capital (resource stocks), ecosystem services (benefit flows), and human health and well-being. However, the complex interactions among these drivers and elements, along with their cascading effects on ecological and socio-economic systems in mountain regions, remain poorly understood. This session will focus on assessing the impacts of climate change and LULCC on mountain natural capital and ecosystem services through integrated frameworks and interdisciplinary approaches that combine ecological, social, and economic perspectives. Contributions addressing other drivers are also welcome, especially those interacting with climate and land-use processes. Discussions will emphasise strategies for the preservation, restoration, and sustainable management of mountain ecosystems and ecosystem services under changing environmental conditions, focusing on building socioecological resilience and enhancing human well-being. Topics to be addressed include (non-exhaustive list):

Impacts of environmental drivers (e.g., climate change, LULCC) on mountain natural capital (e.g., resources, biodiversity, ecosystems), ecosystem services, and human well-being.
Interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., ecosystem accounting, Planetary Health, EcoHealth, One Health) to assess mountain natural capital.
Monetary and non-monetary methods to value mountain ecosystem services and natural capital.
Strategies for the preservation, restoration, and sustainable management of mountain natural capital.

Submitted Abstracts

ID: 3.7772

Natural capital assessment of public mountain resorts in the Catalan Pyrenees

Joan Rabassa-Juvanteny
Claramunt-López, Bernat

Abstract/Description

Natural capital refers to the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources on Earth—such as plants, animals, air, water, soil, and minerals—that combine to yield a flow of benefits or services to society. This study evaluates the natural capital of two public mountain resorts in the Catalan Pyrenees, Vall de Núria and La Molina, using the Natural Capital Protocol (NCP) and the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). We integrated reviewed literature, GIS data, and field-collected data (a) to assess key dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities related to natural capital at these resorts; (b) to develop materiality matrices to identify the importance of natural capital components (e.g., water, forests, pastures) for both resorts and social stakeholders, based on workshops and questionnaires; and (c) to propose science-based recommendations for actions, including sustainable practices and nature-based solutions (e.g., habitat protection, restoration, or sustainable management). Such solutions aim (i) to enhance the resorts’ natural ecosystems by expanding its extent and improving its condition, while addressing potential socio-ecological trade-offs, (ii) to increase local socio-ecological resilience, and (iii) to support adaptation and mitigation to global change, i.e., climate change, land use change, and invasive alien species. Our research provides valuable insights for decision-makers and land managers in developing sustainable strategies for the management of ski and mountain resorts, since it helps preventing natural capital loss while recognising and optimising the potential of applying the “nature as business” approach. By integrating our approach into decision-making, resorts can enhance environmental sustainability, reduce their ecological footprint, and increase the viability of tourism activities without generating excessive impact on the ecosystems in use. This study offers a replicable model for other mountain regions that face challenges such as biodiversity loss, natural capital degradation, and the conservation of ecosystems impacted by tourism.

ID: 3.7846

The Mental Health Toll of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in the Hunza Valley, Pakistan

Aaliya Aaliya
Waqas, Ahmed; Rahman, Atif; McAdoo, Brian

Abstract/Description

With human-induced climate change, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events have increased in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of the Pakistani Himalayas. In Hassanabad village of Hunza Valley, four massive GLOF events occurred in the past five years. However, to date, no studies have been conducted to examine how GLOF events impact the mental health of downstream communities. To address this scholarly gap, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Hassanabad to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the residents impacted by past GLOF events. In August 2024, we administered a household survey using the stratified random sampling technique in Hassanabad. We used self-report measures of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). We performed multiple regression analyses to assess the significant associations. We surveyed 177 (58%) females and 128 (42%) males between 18 and 60 years (Mean 37.7, SD 12.65). Of the total surveyed (n=305), 213 (69.84%) witnessed four GLOFs. The overall prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in our sample was 15.08% (cut-off score ≥ 10, 95% CI), 15.40% (cut-off score ≥ 10, 95% CI), and 56.60% (cut-off score ≥ 33, 95% CI) indicating mild to severe symptoms among participants. When comparing gender-wise prevalence, women had a higher prevalence for anxiety (PrR=22.03%, 95% CI), depression (PrR=23.72%, 95% CI), and PTSD (PrR=66.24%, 95% CI) than men. Notably, males were predicted to have statistically significantly lower anxiety, depression, and PTSD scores (p<0.001) compared to females, holding all other predictors constant. Concerning age-wise prevalence, adults in the age group (46-60) had a higher prevalence of anxiety (PrR=20.87%, 95% CI), depression (PrR=18.68%, 95% CI), and PTSD (PrR=59.30%, 95% CI). Age was a statistically significant (p<0.001) predictor for PTSD. This study reveals higher levels of PTSD among the residents of Hassanabad. The prevalence of common mental disorders reflects the long-term impacts of these events. The study emphasizes the importance of early identification of mental health issues, the implementation of culturally tailored interventions targeting vulnerable groups, and the allocation of funding for mental health services before and after such hazards.

ID: 3.8832

Initiative for orchids conservation and their indicator pollination for assessing mountain ecosystem health in Mandakini catchment, Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India

Ayushi Negi
Pant, Manu; Uniyal, V.P.

Abstract/Description

The Mandakini Catchment region of Uttarakhand, located in the Western Himalaya, is a biodiversity hotspot with a rich diversity of orchid species. Orchids play a crucial ecological role and serve as bio-indicators of environmental health. However, their populations are experiencing a significant decline due to habitat destruction, climate change, over-exploitation, forest fires and anthropogenic pressures. Our work emphasized on orchid conservation and the role of their pollinators as key indicators in assessing mountain ecosystem health. Pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies exhibit a symbiotic relationship with orchids, influencing their reproductive health and overall population dynamics. Changes in pollinator diversity directly reflect alterations in habitat quality and ecosystem stability. Thus, monitoring pollinator populations provided us valuable insights into environmental changes and conservation priorities. The degradation of forested landscapes, lack of sustainable agricultural practices, and increased tourism pressures have disrupted these fragile interactions, leading to reduced orchid regeneration and ecosystem imbalance. Engaging local communities in our conservation efforts was pivotal for the sustainability of this fragile ecosystem. Traditional knowledge, coupled with scientific interventions, facilitated habitat restoration and promoted sustainable practices. Community-led conservation initiatives, such as orchid farming, habitat protection, and Agritourism, helped mitigate anthropogenic pressures while ensuring economic benefits for local stakeholders. Our study underscores the importance of orchid conservation in maintaining ecological equilibrium and proposes pollinator-based assessment models to gauge ecosystem health. Implementing targeted conservation strategies, including habitat preservation, pollinator protection, and community participation, significantly contributed to the resilience of Western Himalayan ecosystem in the Mandakini Catchment region. Strengthening conservation policies and fostering awareness among local stakeholders was instrumental in safeguarding the orchid biodiversity of this ecologically sensitive area.

ID: 3.9005

Comparing Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in Mountainous Agricultural Communities: Insights From Austria, Switzerland, and California

Christine Altenbuchner
Felmer, Barbara; Fischer, Judith

Abstract/Description

This study examines the development of adaptive capacity (AC) in agricultural communities to mitigate climate change impacts and other crises. AC is the ability of a system to respond to exposure by withstanding or recovering. We conducted 60 qualitative interviews in three case study areas with both female and male members of agricultural communities. Using the Community Capitals Framework—which includes human, social, financial, physical, natural, cultural, and political capital—we identified key factors for AC and analyzed challenges and changes related to adaptation and transformation. We also examined the influence of gender on AC and transformation. The case studies focused on livestock farming and were selected based on criteria such as climate change exposure, mountainous location, certification related to grassland and rangeland farming, and knowledge transfer potential. The selected case studies were hay milk-producing communities in Tyrol, Austria; organic milk-producing communities in Grisons, Switzerland; and organic beef-producing communities in California, USA. Our analysis identified natural capital (e.g., land pressure, water availability) and financial capital (e.g., high risks, low product prices) as significant challenges for AC. Low supply chain integration was particularly challenging for non-certified communities. High AC was linked to strong human capital (e.g., access to knowledge and extension services) and social capital (e.g., cooperation, information exchange, safety nets). Cultural capital (e.g., attitudes towards climate change, past drought experiences, climate change denial, and the role of women in livestock farming) strongly influenced AC. Identity played a crucial role, as livestock operations often continued despite unprofitability due to farmers’ strong identification as ranchers/farmers and producers and a strong emotional connection to land. Challenges and changes to adaptation and transformation are closely tied to farmers’ core values (cultural capital). Entrepreneurial capital was found to be important for building AC and triggering transformation and was added to the CCF.

ID: 3.9611

Advancing natural capital accounting in European mountain regions: methodological review and implications for sustainability

Joan Rabassa-Juvanteny
Belloso Poveda, María; Claramunt-López, Bernat

Abstract/Description

Natural capital accounting provides structured information on the flow and value of ecosystem services derived from the stocks of natural assets and shaped by the extent and condition of the ecosystems that generate them. However, there are various approaches to this framework that can be applied at different scales (e.g., national, subnational, and corporate accounts), meaning the methodology remains unstandardised. In the case of mountain natural capital, accounting is further complicated by the unique ecological, social, and economic dynamics of mountain regions, as well as the lack of quality data. For these reasons, mountain natural capital is under-researched, despite its critical role in providing essential services to people and its increasing vulnerability to climate change, land-use change, and other drivers of global change. In this context, we present a review of current methodologies for accounting and assessing natural capital and ecosystem services in European mountain regions, which also consider the effects of global change drivers, based on a bibliographic research and consultations with international experts. This synthesis covers current methodologies to assess each element of mountain natural capital, as well as to identify relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries of these elements. By providing this information, we offer a broader perspective for environmental decision-making, along with recommendations for technical staff to improve the application of natural capital accounting in different contexts. This is particularly crucial in sustainability projects that aim to maintain the functionality of mountain socio-ecological systems in an integrated manner, address current challenges and vulnerabilities, and ultimately enhance their resilience and adaptive capacity.

ID: 3.9721

Integrating Process-Based Modelling and Sustainability Indicators: Insights from the SOSFOR Project

Silvio Daniele Oggioni
Brocco, Sebastian; Mion, Alberica Orsa Maria; Vacchiano, Giorgio; Vizzarri, Matteo

Abstract/Description

European forests are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, facing challenges such as extreme weather events, growth reduction, and shifts in species composition. Developing adaptive forest management strategies is essential to enhance forest resilience and maintain ecosystem services. This study is part of the SOSFOR (Sustainable Operating Spaces for European Forests) project, which aims to integrate spatially explicit modelling and participatory approaches to delineate sustainable operating spaces for European forests under future climate and socio-economic scenarios. The project includes five case studies across Europe (Italy, Spain, Germany, Norway and Romania), of which this is the first, combining forest ecosystem modelling with social and economic assessments, offering decision-support tools (DSS) for adaptive and climate-smart forestry. The objective of this study is to (i) evaluate the effects of forest management and climate scenarios on forest dynamics, ecosystem services, and socio-economic sustainability, and (ii) develop impact indicators aligned with sustainability frameworks, integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions to support adaptive forest management strategies in different European landscapes. In this study we focus on Val Camonica, a glacial valley in the central Italian Alps, largely covered by forests. We employ the iLand forest landscape model, widely applied for its capacity to capture ecological interactions at landscape scales working on spatial explicit data. Model parameterization and initialization rely on detailed forest inventory data, including species composition, stand age, productivity, and structural complexity. The DPSIR framework is used to structure sustainability indicators, linking environmental changes to socio-economic outcomes. Simulations highlight the trade-offs between different management approaches in terms of carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, timber production, and socio-economic outcomes. By integrating spatially explicit outputs with socio-economic scenario analysis, we identify thresholds that define sustainable operating spaces. This study represents the first case study within the SOSFOR project, providing a foundation for comparative assessments across different European forested regions. The findings will contribute to the development of transnational strategies for climate-smart forestry, fostering resilience in the face of climate change.

ID: 3.10816

Assessment of ecosystem services for climate change adaptation in the Alps under the European Nature Restoration Law scenario

Titouan Dubo
Palomo, Ignacio; González-García, Alberto; Lavorel, Sandra

Abstract/Description

The European Commission’s recent adoption of the Nature Restoration Law aims to restore at least 20% of the degraded ecosystems within the European Union (EU) by 2030. While the law impact assessment highlights its general potential for climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation, its specific outcomes and co-benefits, especially in mountain region such as the Alps, remain unclear. To address this gap, we assessed the potential outcomes of achieving specific targets of the law within the Alpine Space – a region experiencing rapid global change. Specifically, we identified optimal areas for the implementation of the EU Law and evaluated the ecosystem services that the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) would provide in the Alps if several law targets are met. Finally, we performed a cost benefit analysis taking into account the cost of interventions and their benefits. Our findings emphasize the importance of comprehensively evaluating the multifunctionality of NbS and the diverse benefits of the Nature Restoration Law to guide future decision-making processes.

ID: 3.11633

Climate regulating benefits of mountain systems: A case study of the Yellowstone to Yukon region

Graham McDowell

Abstract/Description

Large-landscape conservation can play a key role in advancing nature-based climate mitigation solutions at scale. The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) has been working for over 30 years to protect and connect North America’s transboundary Rocky Mountain region so that people and nature can thrive. More recently, Y2Y has focused on understanding and protecting the climate regulating benefits of this carbon-rich region. This talk presents Y2Y’s efforts to quantify and map carbon storage and sequestration characteristics across the 1.3 million square kilometre Y2Y region, to assess key threats to nature-based climate mitigation, and to safeguard priority areas in ways that maximize carbon protection as well as other socio-ecological co-benefits. The presentation demonstrates the out-sized climate regulating benefits of the Y2Y region and invites comparative analyses from other mountain areas globally.

ID: 3.13106

From communal lands to Ecosystem Services: A critical approach to silvopastoral governance through the case of Aterno Valley Model Forest

Annalisa Spalazzi

Abstract/Description

In the European South mountain areas, uncontrolled forest regrowth is heightening wildfire risks, exacerbated by rural depopulation and land abandonment. Italy’s in particular is a major wood importer, contributing to deforestation in the Global South, there is growing interest in valuing the non-use of forests through payment for ecosystem services (PES). This article critically examines the commodification of ecosystem services, such as carbon credits, which often prioritize global economic interests over local ecological and social needs. Italy’s mountain regions, where forest cover has expanded by 20% since 1990 due to agricultural abandonment, face a paradoxical socio-ecological crisis. This “green transition” masks challenges like biodiversity homogenization, increased wildfire vulnerability, and the collapse of traditional agrosilvopastoral systems. Institutional changes, including the dissolution of Collective Properties and reliance on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies, have further worsened land mismanagement. This research, conducted through a one-year action-research project with the Aterno Valley Model Forest Association in Abruzzo, employs qualitative methods—participant observation, walking interviews, and focus groups—to explore how ecosystem services can aid in the recovery of abandoned lands and sustainable forest use. A global justice and decolonial framework ensures local perspectives are central. The study investigates collaborative governance models involving public, private, and communal actors, alongside agroecological practices that integrate sustainable forest management with extensive grazing to prevent scrub encroachment. Key findings highlight two barriers: (1) limited municipal capacity for investment and (2) challenges in creating sustainable grazing markets without heavy reliance on subsidies. Intermediary entities, such as the Model Forest, play a crucial role in fostering local experimentation and collaboration, though their impact often remains limited to advocacy. The study proposes structured supra-local Public-Commons Partnerships to support restoration in sparsely populated mountain areas, emphasizing the need for intermediary organizations and locally rooted partnerships. By advocating for governance models that prioritize local ecological knowledge and socio-economic equity, this research contributes to broader debates on global justice and decoloniality in mountain regions.

ID: 3.13158

Where the forest recedes: Land use changes in mountain areas and their impacts on the livelihoods of Indigenous communities.

Dhanya Vijayan
Kareyapath, Liji; Sam, Anu Susan; Girindran, Renoy

Abstract/Description

Conversion of natural forests into forest plantations is a global issue that impairs climate change, contributes to biodiversity loss, and threatens the livelihoods of Indigenous communities who depend on forests. India is home to about 700 Indigenous groups with a population of 104 million. These ethnic people mostly live in mountains close to the vicinity of forests and directly or indirectly depend on the natural forests for their livelihoods. Therefore, any changes to the composition of these natural forests can have profound effects on Indigenous communities. In India, most rights and ownership of forests, including their management, are held by the government, and government policies dictate how forest lands are managed. Research has shown a significant loss of natural forests in India, while the area covered by forest plantations is rapidly increasing. Based on a selected number of case studies from the mountain regions of the Western Ghats – a global biodiversity hotspot- in India, this study analyses: i) the broad impacts of changes in natural forests on the livelihoods of Indigenous people in mountainous regions; ii) the shifts in traditional practices and knowledge stemming from these land use changes; and iii) the perspectives of Indigenous communities regarding the implications of these transformations on their lives and cultures. Our results show that there have been considerable changes in the livelihood of Indigenous communities and their dependency on forests has considerably declined. We also argue that the issue extends beyond just the loss of livelihoods; it involves much deeper consequences, including the loss of Indigenous knowledge and practices that have developed over centuries of interaction between humans and nature. Our study further highlights that preserving natural forests is vital not only for sustaining the livelihoods of Indigenous peoples but also for maintaining environmental sustainability in mountain regions and for safeguarding Indigenous communities, their traditional knowledge, and their culture.

ID: 3.13517

Time of haymaking – challenges in the operation of a social-ecological system in the Eastern Carpathians, Romania

Dániel Babai
Jánó, Béla; Molnár, Zsolt

Abstract/Description

Understanding of social-ecological systems’ complexity is challenging. Examining land use can bring us closer to understanding, as studying land-use practices provides a great insight into the complexity of interactions between social and ecological components of systems. We studied a social-ecological system in Gyimes, Eastern Carpathians, Romania. The local economy of the studied system is based on animal husbandry and extensive grassland management. Grassland management is optimized for the quality, and quantity of the hay. So, haymaking, and especially the decision about the time of haymaking is a seemingly simple, but crucial factor in local agriculture. Studying of the ecological, cultural, social, and political context of the decision about time of haymaking, we designed an interview- and participatory observation-based qualitative analysis, which reveals the direct and indirect drivers affecting the time of haymaking, and to study all the trade-offs made by the local farmers balancing between quality and quantity of hay, livestock wellbeing, economic consideration or EU agricultural policy measures. We conducted semi-structured interviews (n=85) and organized focus group discussions (n=2) altogether with 52 local farmers in Gyimes. Time of haymaking is a leverage point in small-scale, extensive grassland management systems, surrounded by trade-offs made by local farmers, especially from the ‘70s. Not only the time of haymaking has changed a lot since World War II, but also the number and impact of direct and indirect ecological, economic, social, cultural, and political drivers affecting decision-making increased. As a consequence, more and more trade-offs made by local farmers are needed to balance between quality and long-term quantity of the harvested hay. A network of drivers and changes has led to significant changes in the time of haymaking, partly following the accelerated ripening of the vegetation, partly affected by other social, cultural, or political effects. Consideration of all of the diverse social and cultural contexts, ecological background, political (legal) environment surrounding the seemingly simple decision about the time of haymaking, helps to gain a deeper insight and understanding the decision-making processes in complex social-ecological systems. This understanding helps build fruitful cooperation with local farmers managing High Nature Value semi-natural grasslands in cultural landscapes.

FS 3.145: Integrating Measurement Networks and Novel Techniques to Understand Greenhouse Gas Sources, Sinks, and Chemistry

FS 3.147: Monitoring, Assessment, and Multi-Scale Modeling of Landslides: Approaches for Hazard Analysis

#IMC: September 14 - 18 2025

FS 3.146

Assessing impacts on natural capital and ecosystem services in mountain areas

Details

Full Title

Scheduled

Location

Convener

Co-Conveners

Assigned to Synthesis Workshop

Thematic Focus

Keywords

Description

Submitted Abstracts

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

Abstract/Description

About us

Share this content

General Info

General Info

Get in contact

Personal Details

Address

Preferences