Session status: Accepted
Private
FS 3.237
Open Poster Session
Content last updated: 2025-09-23 22:05:15
Online available since: 2025-03-27 08:45:11
Details
Full Title
FS 3.237: Open Poster SessionScheduled
Posters - Part I:
2025-09-16, 15:00 - 16:00 (LT), SOWI – Garden
Posters - Part II:
2025-09-16, 17:30 - 18:30 (LT), SOWI – GardenPosters - Part I:
2025-09-16, 15:00 - 16:00 (LT), SOWI – Garden
Posters - Part II:
2025-09-16, 17:30 - 18:30 (LT), SOWI – GardenConvener
Co-Convener(s)
Gurgiser, WolfgangAssigned to Synthesis Workshop
---Thematic Focus
No focus definedKeywords
Mountains, Open topics, Multidisciplinary
Description
In this session, various topics that do not fit well in one of the other sessions or workshops, will get the opportunity to display a poster in our outdoor poster exhibition during the entire conference and give a 2 min intro during this session. Based from our experiences at the #IMC22 open poster exhibition, we are very optimistic to again have a lively event with plenty of interesting contributions to learn from.
Registered Abstracts
Date/time indicate the presentation; if available: the bracketed duration is added for end-of-presentation Q&A.
Gurgiser, Wolfgang
Isotope derived snowmelt routing in mountainous basins of western Himalaya, India
Gurgiser, W.
Jeelani, G.
Abstract/Description
Himalayan cryospheric waters are a vital freshwater source for billions of people living in upstream and downstream regions, thereby playing a crucial role in sustaining the economic stability of the region. However, these critical water resources face significant threats from climate change, potentially disrupting the region’s economic stability. In this study, we used stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) to investigate the isotopic evolution of cryospheric water and identify the primary sources of streamflow in snow and glacier dominated high-altitude catchments within the Indus River Basin. Newly deposited snow displayed a notable altitude effect, while surface snow exhibited a reverse altitude effect due to evaporation and sublimation processes. Post-depositional changes in snow led to significant isotopic homogenization of δ¹⁸O and δ²H, with isotopic exchange between firn and percolating meltwater resulting in greater enrichment of heavy isotopes in successive snow layers. Bayesian stable isotope mixing model in R indicated that snowmelt contributed significantly to streamflow in the Indus (63±1.2%) and Shyok (58±1.7%) catchments, while glacier melt dominated contributions in the Nubra (64±2.3%) and Suru (60±2.7%) catchments. Groundwater (baseflow) was found to play a critical role in sustaining river and stream flows during winter and spring, ensuring local water availability. The higher slope and intercept of the snow and glacier melt lines compared to global and local meteoric water lines indicated minimal evaporation. The findings suggest that the region’s spatially diverse, rugged topography and microclimates largely dictate the varying contributions of different sources to river flow. With a warming climate causing decreased solid precipitation, continuous glacier mass loss, and earlier snowmelt, the perennial flow of rivers is likely to be inconsistent, posing significant risks to the region’s economic and political stability.
Duran, Oyku
Impact of Climate Change on Ski Resorts: A Case Study of Fethiye Eren Mountain Ski Resort
Duran, O.
Akbulut, O.
Abstract/Description
Climate change is an urgent and significant challenge that presents unforeseen costs. The tourism industry is both a contributor to and a victim of climate change. While concepts such as impact, adaptation, maladaptation, mitigation, and resilience are commonly discussed within this sector, this study takes a unique approach by focusing on a ski resort that has experienced a notable decline. It uses the destination life cycle model to evaluate the downturn of Fethiye Eren Mountain Ski Resort through a case study methodology. The objective is to adapt the temporal dimensions of the destination life cycle model effectively to address the realities of climate change.
Khan, Mian Sayed
A preliminary survey of the trans River Indus Hindu Kush-Himalaya mountains and ecotone spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) and impact of climate change
Khan, M. S.
Ali, P. A.
Abstract/Description
District Swabi, with its typical dried extension of ecoregions of Himalaya subtropical pine forest, Hindukush and Baluchistan xeric woodland that includes sandy grasslands, subtropical, dry sub-temperate Hindu Kush- Himalaya mountains and ecotone microhabitats with distinguish River Indus divided Himalaya-Hindukush mountains, is reported here one of the Pakistan biodiversity hotspot for spider diversity. A total of 67 spider species belonging to 37 genera and 30 families were identified through several years of extensive survey work. The distribution records of 50 species have been updated. The family Salticidae is most diverse with 32 species belonging to 22 genera followed by Araneidae with 23 species in 17 genera. The guild structure analysis revealed with majority Stalker, web-weaver, Ambusher, scattered line weaver, foliage hunter, funnel web builder respectively, and include habitat specialists that favor specific microhabitats. Some of these habitat specialists may be affected by alterations on ecotone and river Indus environment due to anthropogenic and climate change of drought and flood.
Fernández Velarde, Michell Andree
Strengthening community resilience to climate change: CRIDA case study on the vital role of endemic Polylepis mountain forests and the link to aquifer recharge
Fernández Velarde, M. A.
Cools, J.; and Staes, J.
Abstract/Description
In the context of increasing climate variability and its profound impacts on water resources, robust methodologies are essential to ensure water security and sustainable management. This study uses the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) framework to assess the vulnerability of water resources in rural mountain communities, focusing on the eastern sub-basin of the Chili River in Peru. A participatory approach was used to identify key performance indicators and conduct a hydrological stress test, revealing critical vulnerabilities to climate-related risks. This research examines the hydrological role of Andean Polylepis forests in enhancing groundwater recharge as a strategy for drought adaptation. It also highlights the dual threat of deforestation to water availability and rural livelihoods. By integrating ecological conservation into climate-resilient water management strategies, this study provides novel insights for protecting vulnerable basins and promoting the sustainable coexistence of human and environmental Andean systems in the face of climate change.
Sangela, Vinita
Tiger beetles as bioindicators for habitat management and conservation along the Ramganga river Western Himalaya
Sangela, V.
Uniyal, V. P.; Gupta, S. K.; and Pearson, D.
Abstract/Description
Invertebrates can be important ecological monitoring indicators because of their sensitivity to environmental changes. Among these, tiger beetles are known to be useful bioindicators, especially when it comes to evaluating changes in quality of riparian habitat. Our research focuses on the diversity, habitat dependence, and associations of tiger beetles in the Ramganga watershed, a key river in the Western Himalayas. We found 17 tiger beetle species in eight genera. Among these, two species occur exclusively in muddy habitats, seven in sandy habitats, and eight were found across multiple habitats, such as grasslands, gravel, rocks, and shrubs. The Ramganga River flows through mountainous terrain that is characterised by diverse vegetation types, including riparian grasslands, shrubs, and patches of forest that contribute to habitat heterogeneity. These areas have diverse climate conditions because of the great altitudinal range of the watershed area. Through an analysis of similarity test (ANOSIM) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA), we found that there are significant differences in the makeup of tiger beetle communities in different habitats. Using the indicator value index (IndVal), we identified two species that can be used as an indicator for habitat quality in gravel and rock habitats, three for muddy habitats, ten for sandy habitats, and one for shrub habitats. Through market basket analysis (MBA) using the apriori algorithm, we found that two species were positively associated with muddy habitats and seven species with sandy habitats. These findings provide baseline data on tiger beetle diversity and their habitat preferences as bioindicators of habitat change and the management of riparian ecosystems.
Uniyal, Vasundhara
A Data-Driven Approach to Environmental Sustainability in the Conservation and Rejuvenation of National River Ganga from Indian Himalaya
Uniyal, V.
Abstract/Description
Ecosystem services provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting are essential for sustaining life, economies, and policy frameworks. The Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) incentivizes environmental conservation by rewarding sustainable practices. This study utilizes data analytics to assess the impact, efficiency, and sustainability of the Ganga’s PES initiative in the National Mission of Clean Ganga in the National River Ganga, India. The analysis examined a diverse dataset covering both environmental and socioeconomic factors included water quality indices, carbon emissions, and biodiversity statistics, while socioeconomic data encompassed population density, agricultural usage, and the economic benefits of ecosystem services. Several pre-processing steps were undertaken to ensure data accuracy and reliability. Data cleaning involved removing null values, duplicates, and inconsistencies, as well as standardizing data. Outlier detection and treatment were conducted using quartile-based analysis. Advanced data visualization tools were employed to create interactive dashboards and comprehensive reports, simplifying complex data for stakeholders and enhancing decision-making processes. A range of analytical methods was applied to derive meaningful insights. Comparative analysis identified trends and discrepancies, such as pollution hotspots through regional water quality assessments. Hypothesis testing validated assumptions regarding the relationship between industrial activities and water contamination, using statistical tests like t-tests and ANOVA. Additionally, these models and A/B testing methodologies were employed to evaluate the effectiveness of various PES-supported conservation practices. The integration of SQL and Python streamlined data collection and analysis workflows, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors. Predictive analytics and data-driven strategies highlighted critical pollution hotspots and established significant correlations between industrial discharge and water quality degradation. These insights help to policy framework for regulating the targeted conservation efforts. This study confirms that PES can be a powerful mechanism for balancing ecological sustainability with economic development. However, its long term success depends on data-driven policy refinements, stricter industrial regulations, and sustained investment in monitoring.
Chaudhary, Pooja
Assessing mountain forest health: A Comparative Study between sacred grove and community forest of Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, India.
Chaudhary, P.
Rayal, D. R.; and Uniyal, D. V.
Abstract/Description
The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is a crucial life support system known for its rich biodiversity and essential ecosystem services, including hosting four global biodiversity hotspots.Degradation of ecosystem in IHR is caused by the climate related catastrophe such as forest fire, floods, drought and human interference increasing vulnerability . This study focuses on the ecological, cultural and socio-economic roles of Hariyali Devi sacred grove in the Dhanpur range of Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand, exploring the community managed forest and sacred grove. Hariyali Devi sacred grove is situated at 3000 masl is a temperate broadleaf mixed forest, surrounded by plants like Quercus leucotrichophora, Rhododendron arboreum, Quercus semecarpifolia, Abres spectabilis), and Lyonia ovalifolia. Presence of ethnomedicinal plants make this sacred grove a unique site for conservation. The research aims to examine the key differences between these forests, assessing biodiversity, ecosystem services as well as the impact of management practices on forest health. Additionally, the study will investigate the economic role of Community Forest in providing natural resources. The study will be depended on the field surveys for ecological assessments, interviews and participatory workshops. In context of climate change by external pressures like anthropogenic activities the study will assess the sustainability and resilience of both forest management systems. Preliminary findings suggest that sacred groves tend to maintain stable ecological outcomes due to cultural protection, while community-managed forests provide significant livelihood resources but face challenges from over-exploitation. Further investigation will address community participation in conservation efforts and develop a model that balances ecological sustainability with socio-economic development. Conclusively this study will seek to solution for sustainable forest management and promote collaborative approach to stakeholders to tackle climate change in the IHR. By integrating scientific knowledge with local practices, we aim to enhance the resilience of Himalayan ecosystems through active community involvement in conservation initiatives.
Losapio, Gianalberto
Glacier Retreat and the Restructuring of Ecological Networks
Losapio, G.
Khelidj, N.; Tu, B. N.; and Velasquez, L.
Abstract/Description
Mountains serve as critical biodiversity observatories, offering unique insights into the ecological impacts of climate change. Among the most striking transformations in these environments is the retreat of glaciers, which is reshaping species distributions, forcing new biotic interactions, and restructuring ecological networks. However, how these emerging networks develop and respond to environmental change and in turn influence ecosystem functions remains poorly understood. In this presentation, I will synthesize recent studies examining how glacier retreat directly and indirectly alters biodiversity and ecosystem functions in mountain ecosystems. We observed sharp shifts in plant, animal, and soil microorganism communities, plant–pollinator and plant–soil microbe networks with glacier retreat. Plant facilitation and symbiotic interactions enhance biodiversity in recently deglaciated terrains, while plant competition driven by shrub encroachment and soil acidification in later successional stages reduced species persistence. Our findings reveal an initial increase in interaction diversity following glacier retreat, followed by an ultimate decline with glacier extinction. These cascading effects undermine key ecosystem functions and services, including regulating and material contribution from pioneer, threatened species. These results highlight the value of ecological network approaches in biodiversity assessment and underscore the need for integrated, long-term monitoring strategies that enhance biodiversity maintenance, sustain ecosystem services, and support human welfare in mountain regions.
Matiu, Michael
Climate Services for Supporting the Strategy for the Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change of the Autonomous Province of Trento (Italian Alps)
Matiu, M.
Napoli, A.; Laiti, L.; Barbiero, R.; Tombolato, D.; Monsorno, S. S.; Bellin, A.; Zardi, D.; and Majone, B.
Abstract/Description
Recognizing the increasing urgency of climate change, many regional administrations are currently developing tailored adaptation strategies primarily grounded in the knowledge of the unique characteristics of their territories, including climate patterns, local atmospheric dynamics, topography, and, more importantly, environmental and socio-economic factors. Yet, exploiting this wealth of information to design effective climate strategies is still a problem. This study outlines the approach adopted to lay the foundation for the mitigation and adaptation strategy of the Trentino region, a mountainous area in northern Italy and part of the European Alps. Here, we present three major steps of this approach, highlighting the collaborative effort of several actors s: 1) Preparing a scientific report reviewing the existing knowledge basis about climate change impacts in the region, 2) Disseminating a synthesis to the general public, and 3) Creation of reference climate scenarios. The literature review revealed significant diversity in the extent and in the depth of analysis from scientific contributions in different sectors regarding the impacts of climate change in Trentino. This diversity was reflected in the informative report, in which a methodical process was employed to simplify and synthesize technical information without sacrificing scientific accuracy. We created climatic scenarios that balance e multiple aspects such as topography, data availability, and stakeholders needs. To achieve this we used a layered approach including spatially aggregated results, statistical downscaling, and high-resolution numerical simulations with a convection-permitting model. This study indicates a general increase in temperatures, with a more pronounced rising of winter minima and summer maxima. Extreme precipitation is expected to increase in intensity and frequency, while seasonal variations depend on the emissions scenario.
Matho Lontio, Stella Lydie
Investigation of aerosol effects on diurnal cycle of precipitation amount, frequency and intensity over Central Africa.
Matho Lontio, S. L.
Komkoua Mbienda, A. J.; and Demeko Yemih, P.
Abstract/Description
Regional climate is affected by a wide variety of aerosols which modify through their radiative effects the precipitation distribution. In this article, the effects of aerosols, mainly dust aerosols on diurnal cycle of precipitation amount, frequency and intensity are investigated over central Africa by using the latest version of the Abdu Salam ICTP regional climate model coupled with the Community Land Model 4.5 as land surface scheme. Two sets of experiments have been conducted (one with aerosols interaction with dynamics and thermodynamics processes and another without this interaction) for a 10-year study period (2002–2011) and the Fourier transformation is used to study the 24-h cycle. In order to clearly understand spatial differences in RegCM experiments over central Africa, three subregions have been considered according to their land cover and climate characteristics. Our results indicate that the pattern of simulated aerosol optical depth (AOD) is well represented particularly northward of the study region compared to AOD from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) even if some differences in terms of magnitude are reported. The aerosols’ effects on diurnal cycle are generally not similar to those found in the amplitude and phase. The result pointed out that over the Sahelian region, atmospheric aerosol in general and dust in particular always induced a positive effect on diurnal cycle (increase the magnitude of the cycle) of precipitation intensities and in precipitation amount and precipitation frequency as well. But, the change is opposite in terms of amplitude and peak time over some subregions. It appears that the forcing of aerosols in solar radiation as well as in latent heat flux leads to the changes in the amplitude of the precipitation amount during the DJF and JAS seasons particularly during daytime. The changes in amplitude of the precipitation frequency are not consistent even if the corresponding phase always tends to increase by up to 5 h.
Punyalue, Adirek
Environmentally friendly agricultural and sustainable upland rice cultivation in the Thai highland
Punyalue, A.
Yusuk, P.; Jaikeang, T.; Keawmuangmoon, C.; and Pawasut, A.
Abstract/Description
Most farmers in Thai highlands are hill tribes. They grow rice for household consumption in two ways: upland rice and paddy rice. Traditional upland rice cultivation, each household has 5-7 areas, which are rotated to grow rice in each area every year. In preparing upland rice fields, farmers cut down trees and burn it, causes dust and soil erosion. Upland rice yields are only 200 – 300 kg/rai (1.25 – 1.88 ton/ha), which is not enough for household consumption. Highland and Development Institute (Public Organization); HRDI has encouraged farmers to change the shifting cultivation in 3 ways; (1) Transform upland rice to terrace paddy rice (2) Rotating upland rice with legume, and (3) Transform upland rice to alternative environmentally friendly crops. This was carried out in collaboration with farmers in Huai Thon village. Bo Kluea District, Nan Province, from 2014 to 2023. We found that (1) There were 96 households (76% of the community) transform upland rice to terrace paddy rice, the area requirement was reduced from 1.12 – 1.6 ha/household/year to 0.32 ha/household/year, and the rice yield increased from 1.25 – 1.88 ton/ha to 3.13 – 3.75 ton/ha, sufficient for family consumption throughout the year. (2) Rotating upland rice with legume (rice bean, Vigna umbellata). The rice yield of rotating upland rice with rice bean by 4.1 ton/ha, while traditional cultivation by 2.8 ton/ha. Rice bean had a dry matter weight of 5.48 ton/ha, which was equivalent to 88.1 N kg/ha returned to the soil. In addition, it was generated an income for farmers 540.1 $/ha. (3) Transform upland rice to alternative environmentally friendly crops, coffee and avocado, the area was transforming 106.4 ha (average 1.12 ha/household) and it make more income 91,485 $. The changing, in the part of economy, increased income average from 147.1 – 1,176.5 $/household/year to 2,941- 7,352 $/household/year. Socially, farmers strengthen to manage by groups. For environmental, alternative agricultural system can reduce burning in agricultural areas and increase forest area 216 ha. That good practices for environmentally friendly agricultural and sustainable upland rice cultivation in the Thai highlands.
Ghimire, Prakash Chandra
Mechanisms of Slope instabilities along the Hill Roads of Nepal: A Case Study from Beni-Jomson Road, Gandaki Province
Ghimire, P. C.
Dhital, M. R.
Abstract/Description
Nepal is situated in the seismically active Himalayan region, where the construction of roads has notably increased the frequency of slope instabilities. These instabilities, including landslides, rockfalls, topple events, debris flows, and gully erosion, are commonly observed along roads in the Nepal Himalayas. This research investigates the causes and mechanisms behind landslides along a section of the Beni-Jomsom Road in Gandaki Province, Nepal. The study applies time series analysis to examine the mechanisms and frequencies of different instability types, taking into account various environmental factors along the road. The research employs specific tools GIS, WAVELET, SPSS, ORIGIN to analyze the landform, surrounding geology, geological structures, and geotechnical characteristics of the soil and rocks. The study reveals that the primary causes of instability along the road are translational slides, debris flows, and rockfalls/rockslides, with these events occurring repeatedly after road construction. The results highlight a clear connection between road-building activities and the occurrence of slope instability in the region. This research will serve as an important reference for authorities, providing valuable insights for managing and mitigating slope instability in future road construction projects. Key Words: Hill Roads, Slope instabilities, Mechanism, Time series analysis, Himalaya.
Neininger, Bruno
OSTIV is linking science and air sports
Neininger, B.
Lezuo, T.
Abstract/Description
OSTIV (Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol à Voile) is a network of scientists and organisations involved in disciplines that are important for gliding, paragliding, and ballooning. The Meteorological Panel aims to collect and distribute knowledge and best practices for tailored weather forecasts. One of the achievements was the handbook on “Weather Forecasting for Soaring Flight” of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It’s revision including making the content available online is one of the tasks the panel is currently working on.
The scientific results of the past 75 years of activity are archived. New publications deal with topics such as Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of thermals. The focus of the Met Panel’s research is mesoscale meteorology and especially convection and lee-waves for optimising the harvest of energy from the atmosphere, necessary for gliding and paragliding. As many paragliders and gliders prefer to fly in the mountains, convection above complex terrain of special interest for OSTIV.
The work of the MET-Panel has as well implications for the design of aircraft and for the flight safety including education and training.
What makes OSTIV’s research exceptional is that it can benefit from the experience and measurements gained during gliding activities. We therefore invite scientists working on relevant atmospheric processes, or those who are passionate about flight themselves, to join the MET Panel network, widening the interdisciplinary exchange.
Metzinger, Pauline
Climate Change Adaptation Types in Alpine Winter Tourism Destinations: Differentiating Incremental, Transformative, Autonomous and Planned Adaptions in Balderschwang, Germany
Metzinger, P.
Corradini, P.
Abstract/Description
In the context of climate change adaptation, alpine winter tourism destinations are confronted with multiple, sometimes conflicting, types of adaptation measures, aiming first and foremost at reducing vulnerability to climate change. Measures’ scopes range from incremental adjustments to transformative turnarounds of existing pathways. Adaptation can be initiated and managed by different actors, including individual self-organised responses, private sector adaptations, community-led initiatives, and government-imposed measures. In this study, we apply two conceptual frameworks from climate change adaptation research to the case of Balderschwang, an alpine winter destination in Bavaria, Germany. The aim is to examine both its recent adaptation development as well as the adaptation visions of the residents. In addition to an in-depth assessment of the case study area, we base our analysis on qualitative interviews conducted with 12 residents, being both community members and tourism stakeholders. Our results show that different adaptation types, both in terms of the depth of intervention and the actors introducing and managing the adaptation, may coexist, potentially enabling or constraining one another, or even evolve into each other. Being aware of these adaptation types can help entangling adaptation barriers and identifying potential linkages that could help aligning adaptation efforts across the different actors, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful climate change adaptation. We conclude that the collaborative approach, a mix of autonomous and planned adaptation, offers a promising way to streamline local adaptation needs with governmental support, increasing the possibility of successful adaptation.
Karim, Parisa
Analysis of Glacier Variation and Historical GLOF Events of Badswat Glacier using Geospatial Techniques
Karim, P.
Abstract/Description
Glaciers are very important natural resources of fresh water in the world. Sometimes glaciers are also called water towers. The Himalayan, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush “HKH” mountain series, having thousands of glaciers, play a vital role in the survival of humans and other living organisms in the adjacent areas. The glacier meltwater from the HKH region feeds dozens of rivers, including the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers, and other rivers of Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, and Afghanistan. These rivers play a vital role in agriculture, drinking, and hydro-power generation in the sub-catchment areas. Global warming and glacier melting is one of the major issues in the world, especially in the HKH mountain region, which eventually triggered Glacier Lake Outburst Flood “GLOF” events and is responsible for the destruction of infrastructure, bridges, agricultural land, and residential areas of the villages in the sub-catchment areas. Badswat Glacier is vulnerable to global warming and had multiple GLOF events in the past. This research aims to analyze the temporal changes in Badswat Glacier from 1990 to 2020 using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Satellite imagery from USGS Landsat (1994, 2001, 2010, 2015, and 2021) was processed to assess glacier retreat, changes in snow cover, and the presence of glacier lakes. The findings indicate a reduction in glacier-covered area from 222.66 km² in 1994 to 206 km² in 2021, with a total glacier retreat of 480 meters over the study period. Multiple glacier lakes were identified, highlighting the potential risk of future GLOF events. Historical data analysis indicates that Badswat Valley experienced two major GLOF events, on July 18, 2018, and July 18, 2021. These events, triggered by sub-glacial lakes, caused destruction to agricultural land, blocked the Karambar River, and damaged infrastructure. The 2018 event led to the destruction of 2,431.52 kanals of agricultural land, while the 2021 event affected 1,245.41 kanals, destroyed orchards and homes, and displaced local communities. Both events highlight the increasing vulnerability of Badswat Glacier to climate-induced hazards and the need for proactive monitoring and mitigation strategies
Aryal, Deepak
Nexus of Science and Society in Risk Perception: Lessons from the 2012 Seti River Flash Flood in Nepal
Aryal, D.
Paudel, J.; lPokhare, B.; Kattel, P.; and Munoz Christine, J. V.
Abstract/Description
Western science and local knowledge are often rooted in distinct epistemological and ontological frameworks, leading to divergent ideologies and approaches to understanding phenomena, including risks and risk perceptions. This work explores the potential for collaboration between western or natural science and local knowledge to better comprehend flood risks in mountainous regions, using the 2012 Seti River flash flood in central Nepal as a case study. In this study the scientific knowledge—supported by facts, figures, and models—explains the flood as a consequence of increased water levels triggered by changing precipitation patterns, rapid glacier melt, glacial lake outbursts, landslides, and river blockages. On the other hand, local narratives attribute the flood to moral decay, cosmological imbalances, spiritual indeterminacy, greed, and environmental disruptions. The study also examines the failure of a relocation program for flood-affected households, highlighting the disconnect between external interventions and local realities. Findings underscore that while western science and local perspectives differ fundamentally in their explanations of risk, neither approach alone can fully account for the complexity of flood-induced risks. In this work we are mainly focus on the interaction and collaboration between these knowledge systems that can serve as a critical meeting point for achieving a more contextual and holistic understanding of risks. By integrating diverse epistemologies, this study advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to risk assessment and disaster management.
Richter, Paul
Assessing the wind hazard of mountain forests through high-resolution remote sensed and climate future projections: a pilot study in the Italian Alps
Richter, P.
Fosser, G.; Baggio, T.; and Lingua, E.
Abstract/Description
Climate change is increasing the frequency and the magnitude of extreme meteorological events, including windstorms, which pose a growing threat to the forests and the ecosystem services they provide. In mountainous regions such as the Alps, forests play a crucial role in protecting against gravitational hazards, a function that may be compromised due to wind-induced damage. Identifying forests most vulnerable to extreme windstorms is therefore essential to enhance their resilience. In this study, we assess the forest wind vulnerability of the Cordevole catchment (~ 700 km2), using high-resolution LiDAR data to extract detailed stand and individual tree-level characteristics. These data serve as inputs for the semi-mechanistic ForestGALES model, which estimates the forest wind vulnerability. The probability and the magnitude of wind damages are calculated using km-scale Convection Permitting Models (CPMs) from CORDEX-FPS on Convective Phenomena over Europe and the Mediterranean (FPS Convection). Specifically, we used wind data from the CPMs ensemble for both historical (1996-2006) and future (2090-2099 conditions. The resulting maps show the likelihood of forest wind damage under both current conditions and RCP 8.5 future scenario, identifying the areas with higher exposure. The methodology to derive the forest wind susceptibility was validated for a smaller area respect the Cordevole catchment by using the observed damages of the Vaia storm, occurred in 2018. The final hazard maps classify wind disturbance hazard into three levels (low, medium, high). The spatial analysis highlights areas where active forest operations are necessary to improve the forest resistance. At the scale of the Cordevole catchment the extent of the cumulative hazard of forest damages will be double in the future compared to historical conditions. This study underscores the importance of integrating high-resolution forest and climate data to assess the vulnerability of natural resources against windstorms. By combining detailed forest structure data with advanced climate projections, the adopted approach provides useful maps for forest management and climate adaptation planning.
Gollo, Asja
Heritage, activism and guardianship: a way toward cultural sustainability? The example of the Alpine chapel of St. Erim and its landscape
Gollo, A.
Abstract/Description
Due to major socio-economic shifts that have happened over time, abandoned landscapes are widespread in the Italian Alps. While they are one of the visible signs of changes in land use and territoriality, in terms of emotional experience they also provoke a sense of loss and a feel of nostalgia for a temporal and spatial past. However, nostalgic feelings can be productive, enable actions ─ such as the recover and reuse of cultural landscapes ─ and significantly contribute to community renewal. In fact, the heritage value of landscapes that fall out of the purview of formal processes of patrimonialisation often emerge from those groups whose identity is embedded in those places. Based on ongoing research on the culture-sustainability nexus among ethno-linguistic minorities in the Italian Alps, this contribution focuses on the transboundary minority of the Brigaschi and explores the heritagisation of a small chapel and surrounding landscape located in the Alpine pastures of the Valle dei Maestri (Nature Park of Marguareis, Western Alps), where also a modern hut was built in the 2000s. Multiple landscapes (e)merge with each other and their components move at different paces, challenging the ethical and aesthetical dimension of the chapel’s heritagisation. The life cycle of this landscape and its heritagisation are discussed within the frame of cultural sustainability: the recover and reuse of this abandoned landscape can be seen as a form of cultural activism and its conservation is guided by principles of care and guardianship, both signalling that there is value in it and it is considered something to be inherited. Considering both the spatial/temporal and the ethical/aesthetical challenges, this contribution also reflects on whether the way this process is being handled by the minority and whether the latter has the potential to make the chapel and its landscape a meaningful long-term presence.
Vivek, Vivek
Scoping EIA from Disaster Perspective
Vivek, V.
Abstract/Description
Since the very inception of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in 1986, the EIA has become a decisive tool in bridging the gap between environment and development. However, with the changing climatic scenarios and disasters becoming frequent and intensive, conservation of environment has become pivotal in day-to-day activities. Hence, this is forcing a relook into existing system of EIA from a disaster perspective. The paper elaborates the existing structure of EIA as been carryout by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in India, and dissects it further to reveal its standard setup in the context of environment and disaster. The present scenarios of disasters are often outcomes anthropogenic activities done in the name of development, and these developments often lead the disturbance in the fragile ecosystems to disasters. This provides an entry point to relook into EIA procedure, identify causes and utilise the opportunity to take prompt corrective measures much before such development turns into a disaster. This paper helps in understanding enabling and corrective measures to effectively addressee the issue of environmental degradation induced disaster. The work contributes to a novel perspective to EIA by scoping disaster in the existing structure, and identify the steps that is falling short. The findings recommend essential introduction of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) components to environment mitigation plan in a more cohesive way.
Lai, Qi
Climate Change Velocity and Spatial Prioritization for Mountain Biodiversity Conservation
Lai, Q.
Beierkuhnlein, C.
Abstract/Description
Mountain ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to climate change, yet they also serve as essential refugia for biodiversity. Our research examines the impacts of shifting climate patterns on protected areas, with a particular focus on mountain regions, where species distributions and ecological processes are undergoing rapid transformation. Using climate change velocity as a metric, we identify areas experiencing accelerated habitat shifts, highlighting the limitations of static conservation boundaries in these highly dynamic landscapes.
By integrating high-resolution climate projections with environmental data, we developed a spatial prioritization framework to identify both biodiversity hotspots and potential climate refugia in mountain regions. Our findings highlight that high-altitude areas, such as the Alps, exhibit a high proportion of climate change hotspots, where species are exposed to rapid shifts in climatic conditions. Conversely, certain Mediterranean and Anatolian mountain regions act as coldspots, providing potential refugia due to their slower climate velocity. Importantly, we reveal that topographic diversity plays a critical role in buffering species from climate change, while areas with low topographic complexity face heightened exposure.
Effective conservation in mountain regions requires dynamic, climate-smart strategies. We emphasize the need for adaptive conservation planning that prioritizes both hotspots, where biodiversity is most at risk, and coldspots, which serve as vital refugia. Protected areas such as Natura 2000 sites that overlap with climate-sensitive mountain zones should be prioritized for conservation action, as expanding these networks remains challenging in densely populated regions. Strengthening the resilience of mountain ecosystems through targeted, forward-thinking conservation planning will be key to safeguarding biodiversity in the face of accelerating climate change.
Sarmiento, Fausto
Andean Identity model
Sarmiento, F.
Chávez, R.
Abstract/Description
I am presenting the theoretical model that explain the conceptual framework of Andean identity. In the past, the notion of identity in the Andes have been referred as “lo andino” vaguely explaining the unique features of the people living in the South American cordillera. I am submitting a new look into the characterization of Andean people based on physical (Andeanity), psychological (Andeaness) and spiritual (Andeanitude) affiliations that interact to define the identity of the people of the Andes. In the past, anthropologists have equated the duality-based construction mimicking Asian philosophy of the dilemma of yin-yan. I have resurrected the philosophy of Ayni (reciprocity) to build scenarios of livelihood factors (geoliteracy), of epistemology (ecoliteracy), and of ontology (sopholiteracy) to crosscut the system with the transdisciplinary trend of montology, creating a trilemma of identity markers that explain the ‘essence’ of Andean being, between Yanantin, Masantin, and Tawantin present in individual or collective actions, in soft or hard pressures, or in contrasting opposing views or a continuum of choices.
Keilo, Jack
Mountain toponymy as heritage, The example of the summit of the Lebanon
Keilo, J.
Abstract/Description
Societies use oronyms to give meaning to and to change landscape (Ex. gr. The change from the Montagne maudite to the Mont Blanc). I aim to show how place names are used a posteriori to give political meaning to heritage landscape.
Qurnat es Sawda is the highest point of Mount Lebanon (3088 m), dominating the Cedars of God and the Qadisha Valley, both world heritage sites. This oronym’s etymology is subject to debate: in Arabic, it means «the black corner», used by goatherds and reported for the first time by Richard Burton in the 1870s. Meanwhile, the Maronite Church affirms that the etymology derives from the Syriac Qorno t’Sohde, «the Martyrs’ peak». In this regard, the oronym would relate to the Mamluk campaign of 1283 and the mass killings of many of the inhabitants, later Arabised to what it is now. This name interpretation, unknown in written sources before the 19th C., is officially condoned by the Maronite Patriarchate. The apparent banality of «the black corner» is transformed and integrated into the holy and Biblical landscape of Lebanon. In this regard, the oronym etymology becomes itself a cornerstone of meaning to a world heritage site legitimising the Maronite vision of Lebanon.
Burton, Sir Richard Francis, et Charles Frederick Tyrwhitt-Drake. Unexplored Syria: Visits to the Libanus, the Tulúl El Safá, the Anti-Libanus, the Northern Libanus, and the ’Aláh. Vol. 1 and 2. Tinsley brothers, 1872.
Gauchon, Christophe. « Construction toponymique ou mise en ordre du paysage touristique ? Le cas du massif du Mont-Blanc ». Actes des congrès nationaux des sociétés historiques et scientifiques 135, no 15 (2014): 79 94.
Giraut, Frédéric, et Myriam Houssay-Holzschuch. « Place Naming as Dispositif: Toward a Theoretical Framework ». Geopolitics 21, no 1 (2016): 1 21.
Keilo, Jack. « Naming the summit of Lebanon 1830-1930 ». In Conquering the world through cartography. RAOS, Brussels, 2023.
Patriarch Raï. « Letter of the Patriach Raï for the Martyrs’ year ». Saint Anthony Parish in Jdaydeh, 2017.
UNESCO. « WHC Nomination Documentation, Ouadi Qadisha and the Forest of the Cedars of God ». UNESCO, 1998.
Toivonen, Johanna
Biotic and abiotic constraints of Scots pine and mountain birch seedlings on the treeline ecotone of subarctic Finnish Lapland
Toivonen, J.
Wallen, H.; Stark, S.; Kumpula, J.; and Aakala, T.
Abstract/Description
The range expansion and growth of tree seedlings on treeline ecotones are influenced by a combination of biotic and abiotic factors, including impacts of different land uses. Subarctic treeline ecotones are excellent manifestations of a stress gradient, where facilitation can be expected to increase and competition to decrease from favorable climatic conditions of closed forests to harsh climatic conditions of open tundra. We studied the growth and abundance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and mountain birch (Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii) seedlings on the treeline ecotone of the Finnish subarctic. We sampled 135 plots from an extensive reindeer pasture monitoring plot network, distributed in the main biomes of the ecotone: boreal coniferous forests, mountain birch forests and open tundra. In each plot, we measured seedling height, growth during the last three years (for Scots pine), described their microtopographic position, took soil samples and extracted climate data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s data. In this work, we will show the associations of seedling growth and density with climate and soil properties and intensity of reindeer pasture, aiming to shed light on the potential and requirements of these two species to maintain their dominance and to expand their ranges to open tundra, as the climate warms and environmental stress decreases in subarctic treelines.
Yoshizawa, Nao
Winter Mountain Slopes Skied, Named, and Recognized: A Case Study of Freeriding in Hakuba, Japan
Yoshizawa, N.
Abstract/Description
Freeriding, which involves skiing outside designated ski areas, is gaining popularity worldwide. Previous research on freeriding has primarily focused on motivational factors and risk management. However, little attention has been given to the human-mountain relationship. This study examines how mountain slopes were skied, locally named, and widely recognized from a human geographical perspective, using the case of Hakuba, Japan. We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative approach applied historical geography methods, using semi-structured interviews with key individuals to illustrate how freeriding has been practiced and how the slopes have been named. The quantitative approach involved a web questionnaire survey conducted in 2024 (N=188) to assess general backcountry skiers’ recognition and usage of the slopes.
Until around the 1990s, freeriding was mostly limited to broad ridges leading to mountain summits, following hiking trails in spring. However, after the 1990s, freeriding areas shifted towards steep north-facing slopes and valley bottoms, where human activity had been absent for years. In the early stages of this shift, a pioneering skier—now President of the Hakuba Mountain Guide Association—began naming the slopes he skied. As a result, 27 slopes on the north- and east-facing aspects were given distinct names. Over time, these names gradually became widely recognized among local skiers. When Freeride World Tour competitions were held in Hakuba in 2017, the tourism office officially adopted these names to designate the slopes. The questionnaire survey revealed that recognition and usage rates varied by slope, with steeper slopes tending to have lower recognition and usage rates than others.
This study illustrates how the practice of skiing mediates the relationship between people and mountain landscapes, transforming previously unused natural spaces on mountain slopes into cultural places.
Kumar, Pankaj
Assessing Aridity Changes in the Cold Desert Ecosystem of Western Himalaya in Warming Climate
Kumar, P.
Abstract/Description
West Himalayan cold deserts Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Ladakh are highly vulnerable to the changes that result from rise in temperatures globally. The high-altitude arid areas have limited precipitation and extreme temperature making them more sensitive to any variations in dryness. Therefore, understanding how aridity has changed over time in these regions will help assess the effects of climate change and formulate suitable conservation measures. A drought index, Aridity Index (AI), is computed as a ratio of annual precipitation (P) over potential evapotranspiration (PET). This study analyses trends in aridity seen in Indian cold deserts since 1901 till 2022 using AI. Data for this research was obtained from CRU TS v4.08 which is a dataset containing detailed high resolution monthly climatic information. The study area was classified into different climatic zones based on their AI values then looking at each season: pre-monsoon season, monsoon season, post-monsoon season, winter season and agricultural seasons. Analysis indicates an expressively decreasing the intensity of aridity within cold deserts, thereby revealing how areas located in the north eastern part of these regions are moving towards hyper-arid condition. Seasonal variations were recorded, during which winter season showed the most substantial decrease in aridity as a result of western disturbances’ influence. On the other hand, analysing trends indicates that there is an overall decreasing dryness pattern as evidenced by a positive slope on the AI trend line signifying decreased dryness during this particular period of observation. In the rain shadow zone of the western Himalayas, the cold desert regions are finely adapted to low precipitation due to their unique topography. Increasing precipitation in these areas could lead to several negative consequences, such as soil erosion and the destabilization of fragile landscapes, which can result in landslides.Furthermore, an increase in precipitation can disrupt the delicate balance of local ecosystems, leading to changes in species composition and potential loss of biodiversity. Local communities may face challenges related to infrastructure damage, altered agricultural practices, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. To avoid these consequences and guarantee conservation
Keßler, Bernarda
Properties and behavior of additively manufactured polymer objects in alpine environments
Keßler, B.
Brockschmidt, S.; Schafferer, M.; Mandl, B.; and Schmiedinger, T.
Abstract/Description
BACKGROUND
Materials and components that are used in alpine regions are exposed to extreme environmental conditions such as sub-zero temperatures and high humidity. These factors influence the mechanical properties of the materials and can significantly impair their long-term use.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this work is to investigate the mechanical properties and behavior of additively manufactured polymer objects in different temperature ranges. Based on the knowledge gained, it should be possible to select materials that are suitable for long-term use under difficult conditions.
METHODS
The present work focusses on the investigation of three materials: acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA), polylactide (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate, glycol-modified (PET-G). Standardized test specimens were produced under reproducible conditions using additive manufacturing. Some of the samples were stored in demineralized water at a constant 20°C for 168 hours (1 week). All samples were then subjected to tensile testing at -17°C, 0°C and +21°C.
RESULTS
It was found that the water absorption for the materials analyzed differed greatly in some cases, with PET-G showing the highest water absorption. With decreasing temperatures, a tendency towards increasing tensile strength was observed. The evaluation of the modulus of elasticity at different temperatures showed only minor changes. Differences were mainly found in comparison to the values given in the data sheets, with PET-G also showing the greatest changes here.
CONCLUSION
Additive manufacturing offers a wide range of possibilities for designing housings, brackets and connecting elements. By selecting suitable materials, resource-saving production can also be realized.
Two key statements that can be made are
– Low temperatures (-17°C) have no negative influence on tensile strength.
– The choice of material should depend on the requirements, i.e. ASA should be chosen for structurally stressed components (e.g. brackets for weather stations) and PLA for the housing (due to the lower water absorption).
De La Ruë Du Can, Odile
The Interreg Alpine Space WATERWISE project: Co-designing sustainable management solutions for resilient Alpine headwaters
De La Ruë Du Can, O.
Tolotti, M.; Taberlet, F.; Trouiller, R.; Venus, T.; Noack, M.; Pöll, H.; Rman, N.; Hartmann, G.; Capelli, S.; Fioletti, M.; Arnoux, M.; and Roques, C.
Abstract/Description
Climate change and human pressures are increasingly impacting mountain headwaters, the main sources of freshwater in the Alpine Space. Large alterations in water availability and quality pose significant challenges to Alpine communities and have profound implications on the ecosystem services on which they depend. The project WATERWISE aims to leverage recent advances in modelling techniques tailored to assess the vulnerability of headwaters to climate and land-use changes, and to make them accessible to local water and land managers. Through collaboration between scientists, communities and protected area managers, an innovative digital toolbox will be co-designed and tested in eight pilot sites located in six Alpine countries. This toolbox, accessible via a user-friendly web-platform, will facilitate the collection, analysis and visualization of in-situ climatic and ecohydrological data, while also enabling headwaters vulnerability assessments. he project will provide local stakeholders with the necessary scientific basis for co-designing robust and participatory management strategies, thereby enhancing the resilience of mountain water resources, ecosystems and communities, in line with Alpine Space Special Objective 1.1(Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience, taking into account ecosystem- based approaches) and the EUSALP cross-cutting priority Joint Water Management Transition. Once validated, the toolbox will be implemented across a network of complementary sites covering the diversity of headwaters and challenges across the Alps. End-users will be trained to operate and update the toolbox via the web-platform, thus ensuring its continued relevance and value beyond the end of the project. The results of the project WATERWISE will raise awareness among Alpine communities about the vulnerability of headwaters ecosystem services, in combination to educational materials, creative storytelling and public outreach events. WATERWISE also aims at strengthening the dialogue between scientific experts and policymakers and at stimulating the joint development of transnational solutions to secure water resources in the Alpine region.
Yayla, Emine Aybuke
The Use of Mountain Areas for Nature Education Within The Perspective of Sustainable Development
Yayla, E. A.
KARADAG, A.
Abstract/Description
Mountain areas are economically, socially and culturally important geographical units with unique natural resources, where living creatures survive. Today, problems such as the lack of a legal definition of mountain areas, unconsidered economic activities and uncontrolled settlements affect the protection of natural resources in mountain areas and the sustainable development process of these areas. In this context, it is becoming increasingly important to inform and raise the awareness of communities living in mountain areas about the natural environment they live in, sustainable alternatives in economic activities and cultural values that need to be protected in the development process. The research will use fieldwork and semi-structured interviews to identify the needs of a mountain area for sustainable development and the potential of nature education. Based on the data obtained, a nature education model will be developed and applied training will be carried out. As a result of the data obtained after this process, it is aimed to evaluate the effects of nature education in mountainous areas on the sustainable development of the area. This evaluation is important for the sustainable development of mountain areas in terms of raising the awareness of the local population, carrying out nature education for mountain communities and emphasising the need for this to meet the objectives of the development plans to be drawn up.
The data obtained from the fieldwork and semi-structured interviews conducted in the research will be SWOT analysed and the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of nature education for development in mountainous areas will be revealed. The nature education model created from these results will be implemented in the research area as an applied training. During the training, a pre-test/post-test application will be made for the participants. The data will be analysed using SPSS software to measure the effectiveness of nature education in improving the awareness of mountain communities. The results of the research will be shared at the conference and the use of a mountain area for nature education in the context of sustainable development will be evaluated.
Valle, Barbara
Glacier fleas (Collembola) biodiversity and distribution as bioindicators of glacial ecosystems, also through “glacial” Citizen Science
Valle, B.
Frati, F.; Gobbi, M.; and Caccianiga, M.
Abstract/Description
Springtails are edaphic arthropods particularly linked to glacial habitat and to cold biomes in general; they are the only group, among Alpine arthropods, including cryophilic ice-dwelling species, i.e. adapted to survive only in direct contact to the glacial ice: the so called “glacier fleas”. Springtails are key components of glacier food webs, and their evolutionary history is strictly linked to the glacial history. Glacier fleas represent an important portion of biodiversity at risk of disappearing with the ongoing climate change and subsequent glacier disappearance. Despite their relevance, springtail diversity and distribution have been few considered until now and, due to the lack of information, their diversity is underestimated hindering conservation efforts. The first comprehensive description of ice-dwelling springtails of European Alps and Apennines through integrative taxonomy approach was presented (morphological identification supported by the use of two mitochondrial gene, cox1 and 16s). The intense sampling activity was supported also by the contributions of non-expert sampler (because of the easy sampling), like alpinist, that implemented the field activity. Five species new for science were identified and described on the Alps, together with the two already known species. The evidence for two further new species to be described was also reported, with the first occurrence of a genus for the Alpine chain. Their current distribution suggests the presence of past refugia in the massifs characterized by higher glaciation that should be considered the hub of future conservation project of glacial biodiversity. On the other, on the peripheral areas, microendemic species other isolated refugia, particularly threatened. The study highlighted their biodiversity, ecological and biogeographic interest, together with the conservation concern in the context of the present warming cycle. Still a great work should be done for describing this threatened biodiversity. In addition, the opportunity to involve non-expert samplers increase the possibility to use glacier fleas as bioindicators and is currently object of an experimental citizen science project that involves alpine guides and organization that work on glaciers.
Kareyapath, Liji
Empowering Indigenous Peoples as Agents of Conservation – Exploring the Substantive and Enabling Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the Western Ghats, Kerala
Kareyapath, L.
Vijayan, D.; Sam, A. S.; and Miroslava, B.
Abstract/Description
Indigenous peoples are globally recognised as agents of sustainability, as their unique knowledge, lifestyles, and skills provide practical solutions to many environmental issues faced worldwide. Several international agreements including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight the importance of Indigenous peoples’ rights and emphasise the importance of Indigenous peoples’ participation as key to achieving the SDGs’ ambitions. While many countries worldwide have endorsed Indigenous rights and created policies to support them, challenges in implementation persist globally. Similarly, enabling Indigenous rights in co-management or participatory approaches in conservation efforts related to forest/environmental management and climate change adaptation/mitigation also shows nominal improvement. Studies equate the success of such a co-management / participatory programme with the rights that are enabled to the Indigenous peoples and the power that is shared with them in terms of decision-making. In this context, the present study analyses the substantive and enabling rights of the Kurichya community in the Kannavam protected forest of the Western Ghats, India, in relation to forest management policies and the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The study reveals the impartial and incomplete implementation of the FRA in the settlements, which in turn affects important substantive rights such as land rights and access rights. Although Indigenous people were involved in forest management, absolute decision-making authority and power-sharing were found to be an issue in the settlements, especially where the forest management programme did not produce the desired results. Our study therefore highlights the importance of ensuring the fundamental rights and active participation of indigenous communities in empowering indigenous communities and achieving the goals of participatory forest management and policies.
Shkreli, Eltjana
Between Tradition and Change – social structures and settlement patterns in the Highland of Albania
Shkreli, E.
Abstract/Description
Nikc, an upland settlement in the Cem Valley of High Albania, is one of the last regions in Europe where the tribal system remained intact until the rise of communism in 1944, which transformed the community’s traditional lifestyle. The Kelmend tribe, deeply rooted in this region’s isolation, developed a unique cultural identity based on livestock breeding and, to a lesser extent, farming. The tribe’s social structure was reflected in its hamlets, which were organized around family units within broader kinship networks. These settlements served as both physical spaces and social structures, with the extended family or “brotherhood” central to resource management, decision-making, and the preservation of cultural practices. The design of the hamlets, with self-sufficient homes and agricultural spaces, was influenced by the harsh natural environment and the tribe’s dependence on ecological stewardship passed down through generations. This research explores the relationship between the Kelmend tribe’s lifestyle and its settlements, utilizing building archaeology and oral histories to investigate the evolution of settlement patterns and cultural traditions. The study emphasizes the symbiotic connection between the people, their land, and their resources, offering insights into how these remote hamlets both sustained and reflected the tribe’s cultural identity over time.
Rasaei, Hossein
Echoes from the Alps to the Rockies: The Story of Swiss Guides in the Canadian Mountain History- Focusing on Abbot Pass Hut
Rasaei, H.
Abstract/Description
Edelweiss; not only is a famous endemic flower in the European Alps, but for centuries it has been a cultural symbol to alpine local communities, a pride of a mountaineering heritage in the Alps. Far from away in another continent, Edelweiss Village in Golden British Colombia has been home to Swiss mountain guides who reside in this golden destination in the heart of the Western Canadian Mountains. Last October 2024, many scholars and mountain enthusiasts gathered in Golden BC to celebrate the 125 anniversary of the Swiss Guides in Canada. Participating in this event made me conduct a historical and archival investigation of the Swiss guides’ legacy in the mountaineering history in Canada. To narrow down the research dinged into the story of Abbot Pass Hut, an iconic mountain hut that was built in 1922 by Swiss guides sponsored by The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). In addition to analyzing the written archives based on the published stories in the Canadian Alpine Journal (CAJ), this study also scrutinized the visual historical photographs stored in The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. The findings in a documentary style indicate that for centuries the hut has been a vital alpine shelter for climbing parties and expeditions. During the 1920s to 1950s, by taking advantage of the hut, many first ascents were made on Mt Victoria, Mt Lefroy, and Mt Huber by Swiss guides. Due to its socio-cultural importance in the Canadian mountaineering heritage, the hut was designated a national historic site in 1992. However, in 2022, after 100 years, the hut was dismantled due to geological erosion and climate change. In addition to the physical removal of the hut, its written and visual narratives were also buried in the Whyte Museum. In this study, we rejuvenate those stories to acknowledge the legacy of Swiss guides who not only revolutionized the mountaineering style in Canada but also built many socio-cultural connections in the Canadian mountaineering history.
Mncube, Zandile
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains: Spatial Distribution, Applications, and Early Climate trends
Mncube, Z.
Clark, V.; and Hansen, M.
Abstract/Description
Developing countries have faced many challenges when it comes to acquiring timely and accurate weather data. This is mainly due to sparse weather observation networks found in the continent. In response to this, the Appalachian State University (ASU) partnered with the University of the Free State (UFS) in the Mountain-to-Mountain project funded by the United State Embassy to create means to alleviate such issues. This project included installation of five Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) over the past three years at the UFS QwaQwa campus and the northern Maloti-Drakensberg mountains. These weather stations are the first of their unique characteristic in the geographic location with one of them being the only one in the alpine zone in Southern Africa. The main aim of this study is to introduce and detail the AWS and their advantages to the research world. The study will analyse the spatial distribution of these five AWS, outlining their geographic positioning and altitudinal range, source and evaluate possible partnerships and data dissemination methods with affected stakeholders and identify applications of the weather data from the stations. The study will do this based on the reports on available records of the climate indices such as precipitation trends, temperature variability and other extreme weather patterns observed in the mountains. The availability of the ASU-UFS AWS network offers great advantages that can assist in providing accurate local forecasting data and improve weather prediction accuracy. This calls for studies in mountainous regions to fully utilize the datasets offered from this network as this.
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Oyku Duran
Akbulut, Onur
Abstract/Description
Climate change is an urgent and significant challenge that presents unforeseen costs. The tourism industry is both a contributor to and a victim of climate change. While concepts such as impact, adaptation, maladaptation, mitigation, and resilience are commonly discussed within this sector, this study takes a unique approach by focusing on a ski resort that has experienced a notable decline. It uses the destination life cycle model to evaluate the downturn of Fethiye Eren Mountain Ski Resort through a case study methodology. The objective is to adapt the temporal dimensions of the destination life cycle model effectively to address the realities of climate change.
Study of the diversity and distribution of marine Seagrass in the south-west of Madagascar
Filantsoa Lambo
Lahitsiresy Max, Gasimandova
Abstract/Description
This work concerns the diversity and distribution of species of Seagrass in Ranobe Bay, south-west region Madagascar. The observation and identification of the species encountered at each site and station have enabled us to classify 7 species, including 6 in the Cymodoceaceae family and 1 in the Hydrocharitaceae family. They are distributed over 9 station located at site I, II and III and their distribution variés very little from one site to another. The study on the estimation of the percentage of cover between the surveyed stations and between sites does not show any significant différence overall. These facts testify the similarity of the sites in terms of ecological conditions. The bionomic classification according to the species caractérisation of the stands showed that the tolerant species are represented by Thalassia hemprichii and Cymodocea serrulata; the other species, including Halodule uninervis, are represented by Cymodocea serrulata and Thalassia hemprichii ; other species, including Halodule uninervis, Halodule wrightii, Syringodium isoetifolium, Cymodocea rotundata and Thalassodendron ciliatum are species with no apparent characteristics.
Mountain Tourism. An alternative for community development. The proposal of Laguna Blanca, Belén, Catamarca. Argentina
Patriia Breuer Moreno
Abstract/Description
The research was focused on identifying the potential of promoting the design of a mountain tourism product for women that offers an integral and differential experience of cultural heritage identity, hand to hand with the local guides from the indigenous community of the Laguna Blanca biosphere reserve, province of Catamarca, Argentina. From a social research perspective an ethnographic and qualitative research methodological approach was prioritized. The field work took place in the Laguna Blanca community of the Villa Vil municipality, Department of Belén, Province of Catamarca, Northwest Argentina (NOA). In-depth and semi-structured interviews, focus groups, “walk-alongs” and participant observation, participatory mapping, literature review and search for best practices were considered as research techniques. An important potential for the development of an experiential mountain tourism in Laguna Blanca that favors the enhancement of the natural attractions and cultural and patrimonial identity of the indigenous community of Laguna Blanca Catamarca, Argentina, was evidenced.
Author: Bachelor Patricia Breuer Moreno(1) patobm@gmail.com; p.breuer@udd.cl (1) Master Degree on Sustainable Tourism, Universidad de Cooperacion Internacional de Costa Rica. Researcher on Mountain areas at Centro de Investigación en Tecnologías para la Sociedad (C+), Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile. Co founder of Mujeres a la Cumbre Enterprise and co founder of the Mountain of the World Network.
Sarada Thapa
Abstract/Description
The Karnali Agriculture Supported Program (KASP), led by ForestAction Nepal’s food and agriculture team, implemented a transformative initiative to introduce organic arid technologies in the mountainous Karnali region of Nepal. Collaborating with lead farmer Gorakh Bahadur Bhandari in Jumla, the project addressed a critical challenge: the lack of composting practices in high mountain regions, where biomass degradation is slow. Composting, essential for enhancing soil fertility and promoting organic agriculture, is common in Nepal’s Terai and Middle Hills but rare in high-altitude areas. The project team introduced composting techniques adapted to the region, focusing on utilizing animal manure traditionally wasted due to open livestock rearing practices. Improved cowsheds were constructed to collect animal manure, urine, and leftover litter, which became key ingredients for composting. A pit method was employed, suitable for the cool climate. The team prepared a pit measuring 1.5m x 1m x 2ft and lined it with black plastic to aid decomposition. Compost ingredients, including diluted cow dung (8kg mixed with 20 liters of water), were layered in 5-inch increments, with the pit covered in black plastic for insulation and aerated using a stick placed at the center. Despite initial skepticism about composting’s viability in mountainous regions, the project successfully demonstrated the conversion of organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. Although the composting process spanned nearly nine months, local farmers were impressed by the results and showed interest in adopting these practices on their farms. This initiative not only addressed the biomass degradation challenge but also laid the foundation for the integration of organic technologies and sustainable farming practices in high mountain regions.
A preliminary survey of the trans River Indus Hindu Kush-Himalaya mountains and ecotone spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) and impact of climate change
Mian Sayed Khan
Ali, Pir Asmat
Abstract/Description
District Swabi, with its typical dried extension of ecoregions of Himalaya subtropical pine forest, Hindukush and Baluchistan xeric woodland that includes sandy grasslands, subtropical, dry sub-temperate Hindu Kush- Himalaya mountains and ecotone microhabitats with distinguish River Indus divided Himalaya-Hindukush mountains, is reported here one of the Pakistan biodiversity hotspot for spider diversity. A total of 67 spider species belonging to 37 genera and 30 families were identified through several years of extensive survey work. The distribution records of 50 species have been updated. The family Salticidae is most diverse with 32 species belonging to 22 genera followed by Araneidae with 23 species in 17 genera. The guild structure analysis revealed with majority Stalker, web-weaver, Ambusher, scattered line weaver, foliage hunter, funnel web builder respectively, and include habitat specialists that favor specific microhabitats. Some of these habitat specialists may be affected by alterations on ecotone and river Indus environment due to anthropogenic and climate change of drought and flood.
Strengthening community resilience to climate change: CRIDA case study on the vital role of endemic Polylepis mountain forests and the link to aquifer recharge
Michell Andree Fernández Velarde
Cools, Jan; Staes, Jan
Abstract/Description
In the context of increasing climate variability and its profound impacts on water resources, robust methodologies are essential to ensure water security and sustainable management. This study uses the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) framework to assess the vulnerability of water resources in rural mountain communities, focusing on the eastern sub-basin of the Chili River in Peru. A participatory approach was used to identify key performance indicators and conduct a hydrological stress test, revealing critical vulnerabilities to climate-related risks. This research examines the hydrological role of Andean Polylepis forests in enhancing groundwater recharge as a strategy for drought adaptation. It also highlights the dual threat of deforestation to water availability and rural livelihoods. By integrating ecological conservation into climate-resilient water management strategies, this study provides novel insights for protecting vulnerable basins and promoting the sustainable coexistence of human and environmental Andean systems in the face of climate change.
The Role of Renewable Energy Sources in Combating Climate Change in the Caucasus Mountains
Nijat Imamverdiyev
Abstract/Description
Abstract. This study explores the role of renewable energy sources as strategic instruments for mitigating the effects of climate change in the Caucasus Mountains region. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the research combines statistical analysis, GIS mapping, and environmental monitoring data to assess the performance of solar, wind, and hydropower systems in reducing carbon emissions. Data were collected from field measurements conducted by the research team, meteorological station records, global wind and solar atlases, NASA Power data, and Solargis data. The findings indicate that, despite the challenges posed by rugged terrain and infrastructural limitations, the region exhibits substantial renewable energy potential, with extensive areas suitable for power plant development. Optimal deployment of these technologies enhances regional energy security and generates significant socioeconomic benefits, including job creation, improved energy accessibility, and reduced operational costs. Ultimately, this study underscores the pivotal role of renewable energy in fostering environmental resilience and promoting sustainable development in Azerbaijan.
Tiger beetles as bioindicators for habitat management and conservation along the Ramganga river Western Himalaya
Vinita Sangela
Uniyal, V. P.; Gupta, S. K.; Pearson, David
Abstract/Description
Invertebrates can be important ecological monitoring indicators because of their sensitivity to environmental changes. Among these, tiger beetles are known to be useful bioindicators, especially when it comes to evaluating changes in quality of riparian habitat. Our research focuses on the diversity, habitat dependence, and associations of tiger beetles in the Ramganga watershed, a key river in the Western Himalayas. We found 17 tiger beetle species in eight genera. Among these, two species occur exclusively in muddy habitats, seven in sandy habitats, and eight were found across multiple habitats, such as grasslands, gravel, rocks, and shrubs. The Ramganga River flows through mountainous terrain that is characterised by diverse vegetation types, including riparian grasslands, shrubs, and patches of forest that contribute to habitat heterogeneity. These areas have diverse climate conditions because of the great altitudinal range of the watershed area. Through an analysis of similarity test (ANOSIM) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA), we found that there are significant differences in the makeup of tiger beetle communities in different habitats. Using the indicator value index (IndVal), we identified two species that can be used as an indicator for habitat quality in gravel and rock habitats, three for muddy habitats, ten for sandy habitats, and one for shrub habitats. Through market basket analysis (MBA) using the apriori algorithm, we found that two species were positively associated with muddy habitats and seven species with sandy habitats. These findings provide baseline data on tiger beetle diversity and their habitat preferences as bioindicators of habitat change and the management of riparian ecosystems.
Biodiversity Conservation, Mountain Sustainability and Development in Community Managed Protected area of Site of Special Scientific Interest Khanpur-Makhnial
Muhammad Awais Khan
Abstract/Description
The rural area of Makhnial-Khanpur being one of the candidate sites for Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) was declared as Site for Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under section 27 of KP Wildlife and Biodiversity, 2015 in January, 2022 by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa vide Notification No. SO(Tech)/ FE& WD/VII-10/2021/PC/NPKC 1720-29 dated 12-01-2022 with a view to to restore degraded wildlife habitats barking deer and its associated species including Indian pangolin, Kalij pheasant and black partridges. This also target to stimulate scientific research and natural interpretation of biodiversity components and improving livelihood opportunities of local communities through ecotourism recreation activities thus to making them resilient to the environmental hazards and climate changes. As the rural area of Khanpur-Makhnial lies in in the heart of mountains spreading over an area of 52869 acres comprises of sub-tropical pine and broad leaved ever green forest and about 17854 acres is either privately owned or joint communal property of the people and is under use of various land uses whereby 50% population is dependent on agricultural enterprises. Human interventions majorly mining, deforestation and intentional wildfire in summer are huge threats to biodiversity loss and source of mountain degradation and habitat destruction. Besides, ill-grazing systems, fodder collection, illegal wildlife hunting contribute to biodiversity loss. Keeping in view the contextual position, management of this scientific site would be very difficult in the absence of the custodian communities’ support and cooperation so, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife & Biodiversity Act, 2015 serves as conservation tool and provides mechanism for the participatory management of the such protected site under section 37. In addition to this, constraints could be streamlined by implementation of resourceful management plan ensuring habitat restoration, ecosystem resilience, nature-based solutions and development of communities of Scientific site. This would serve as a purpose in achieving aligned sustainable development goal No. 15 (Life on Land) ensuring sustainable management of forest, reverse and halt land degradation as well as biodiversity conservation.
The hazards and Socio-Cultural Impacts of Outburst Flood in Himalayan Glacier Region: Role of Information and Communication Technology and Digital Tools for Post Rehabilitation.
Kalpana Chaudhari
Cerreta, Maria
Abstract/Description
The case study Presentation focuses on the outburst of flood in the Himalayan region on 16 th Jun 2013 caused by a sudden rapid melting of ice from Chorabary glacier) and snow on the Kedarnath Mountain and a cloudburst at 3800 meters high altitude in Himalayan Mountain. This outburst of flood due to the rapid melting of the Himalayan Glacier instigated losses worth US $1 billion, mortality at a gory high of 5000 deaths and led to an equal number still being reported as missing. The Information and Communication technology and digital tools played a vital role in understanding the outburst floods in glacier region. The presentation aims to discuss the long-term Socio-Cultural and economic impacts of this Outburst floods in the Himalayan region and needs review of the Global Climate change system coupled with human dimensions to mitigate the post-disaster impacts in glacier region.
Sustaining Himalayan Springs: Participatory Approaches to Springshed Management in Khirsu Block, Uttarakhand
Monika Roy
Abstract/Description
Springs serve as the vital freshwater sources in the Indian Himalayas, sustaining both ecological systems and human settlements. However, geomorphic changes, climate variability, and anthropogenic activities are altering the hydrological balance, leading to reduced spring discharge and seasonal drying. This study examines the geomorphological controls on spring sustainability in Khirsu Block, Pauri Garhwal, with a focus on terrain characteristics, land use changes, and hydrogeological dynamics. The research employs geomorphological mapping, slope and aspect analysis, elevation profiling, and land use land cover (LULC) change detection using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Field based GPS mapping, discharge measurements, and community surveys supplement the analysis. Findings reveal that spring distribution is closely linked to geological formations, slope orientation, and land use transformations. Springs situated along structural discontinuities and moderate slopes (15o – 30o) with north and northeast facing aspects exhibit relatively higher and sustained discharge rates. However, increasing rangelands, deforestation and expanding built up areas have reduced groundwater recharge potential, exacerbating water scarcity. The study highlights terrain instability, increased surface runoff and declining infiltration as key threats to the long-term sustainability of these springs. A participatory conservation model integrating hydrogeological assessment, community-based recharge techniques, and policy interventions is recommended to mitigate water stress and sustain these critical freshwater resources in the fragile Himalayan landscape.
A Data-Driven Approach to Environmental Sustainability in the Conservation and Rejuvenation of National River Ganga from Indian Himalaya
Vasundhara Uniyal
Abstract/Description
Ecosystem services provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting are essential for sustaining life, economies, and policy frameworks. The Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) incentivizes environmental conservation by rewarding sustainable practices. This study utilizes data analytics to assess the impact, efficiency, and sustainability of the Ganga’s PES initiative in the National Mission of Clean Ganga in the National River Ganga, India. The analysis examined a diverse dataset covering both environmental and socioeconomic factors included water quality indices, carbon emissions, and biodiversity statistics, while socioeconomic data encompassed population density, agricultural usage, and the economic benefits of ecosystem services. Several pre-processing steps were undertaken to ensure data accuracy and reliability. Data cleaning involved removing null values, duplicates, and inconsistencies, as well as standardizing data. Outlier detection and treatment were conducted using quartile-based analysis. Advanced data visualization tools were employed to create interactive dashboards and comprehensive reports, simplifying complex data for stakeholders and enhancing decision-making processes. A range of analytical methods was applied to derive meaningful insights. Comparative analysis identified trends and discrepancies, such as pollution hotspots through regional water quality assessments. Hypothesis testing validated assumptions regarding the relationship between industrial activities and water contamination, using statistical tests like t-tests and ANOVA. Additionally, these models and A/B testing methodologies were employed to evaluate the effectiveness of various PES-supported conservation practices. The integration of SQL and Python streamlined data collection and analysis workflows, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors. Predictive analytics and data-driven strategies highlighted critical pollution hotspots and established significant correlations between industrial discharge and water quality degradation. These insights help to policy framework for regulating the targeted conservation efforts. This study confirms that PES can be a powerful mechanism for balancing ecological sustainability with economic development. However, its long term success depends on data-driven policy refinements, stricter industrial regulations, and sustained investment in monitoring.
Assessing Provenance Variation and Edaphic Influences on the Survival and Growth of Widdringtonia whytei (Mulanje cedar) in Malawi
Innocent Julius Taulo
Jinks, Richard
Abstract/Description
Widdringtonia whytei (Mulanje cedar), a critically endangered conifer endemic to Malawi, is threatened by over-exploitation and habitat loss, necessitating effective reforestation strategies. The success of these efforts relies on selecting provenances that are well-suited to specific environmental conditions. This study assessed the survival and growth performance of three W. whytei provenances (Chikangawa, Tanzania, and Zomba) in a four-year-old provenance trial across five sites in Malawi (Mt Mulanje, Zomba and Dedza and Luwawa, & Chikangawa highlands). It also analyzed the relationship between key soil factors and provenance performance. A randomized complete block design was used with five blocks per site, each containing three treatments of 49 trees planted at a spacing of 2.75m x 2.75m. Measurements were taken from a core area of 25 trees within each plot to minimize edge effects. Tree height (m) and root collar diameter (RCD, cm) were accurately measured, and survival rates were determined by counting surviving trees per plot. Soil samples were collected randomly from each 5×5 plot at all five provenance trial plots at a depth of 0.15 meters, with six samples collected from each subplot. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon content, total nitrogen, exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total organic carbon (TOC) and phosphorus levels were analyzed using standard operating procedure for soil analysis. Analysis of Variance ANOVA using Minitab 16.1 was used to analyze height and RCD data, with means separated by Fischer’s least significant difference (LSD) at the 0.05 level. Survival data was analyzed using percentages. Zomba provenance demonstrated the highest mean survival (66.2%), with highest survival (88.8%) at Luwawa and RCD growth (7.68 cm). Chikangawa showed the least RCD growth (1.57 cm) lower mean survival of 31.2%. Available phosphorus (P) varied significantly; Dedza recorded a mean of 32.5 mg/kg, while levels at Thuchira and Zomba were critically low, averaging 3.0 mg/kg. Total nitrogen (N) varied between 0.11% at Luwawa and 0.63% at Thuchira, indicating site-specific differences in nutrient availability. Provenance and soil conditions significantly affect W. whytei survival and growth, with Zomba generally superior. Soil pH and phosphorus are crucial; matching provenance to site is vital.
Assessing mountain forest health: A Comparative Study between sacred grove and community forest of Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, India.
Pooja Chaudhary
Rayal, Dr. Rajesh; Uniyal, Dr. V.P
Abstract/Description
The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is a crucial life support system known for its rich biodiversity and essential ecosystem services, including hosting four global biodiversity hotspots.Degradation of ecosystem in IHR is caused by the climate related catastrophe such as forest fire, floods, drought and human interference increasing vulnerability . This study focuses on the ecological, cultural and socio-economic roles of Hariyali Devi sacred grove in the Dhanpur range of Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand, exploring the community managed forest and sacred grove. Hariyali Devi sacred grove is situated at 3000 masl is a temperate broadleaf mixed forest, surrounded by plants like Quercus leucotrichophora, Rhododendron arboreum, Quercus semecarpifolia, Abres spectabilis), and Lyonia ovalifolia. Presence of ethnomedicinal plants make this sacred grove a unique site for conservation. The research aims to examine the key differences between these forests, assessing biodiversity, ecosystem services as well as the impact of management practices on forest health. Additionally, the study will investigate the economic role of Community Forest in providing natural resources. The study will be depended on the field surveys for ecological assessments, interviews and participatory workshops. In context of climate change by external pressures like anthropogenic activities the study will assess the sustainability and resilience of both forest management systems. Preliminary findings suggest that sacred groves tend to maintain stable ecological outcomes due to cultural protection, while community-managed forests provide significant livelihood resources but face challenges from over-exploitation. Further investigation will address community participation in conservation efforts and develop a model that balances ecological sustainability with socio-economic development. Conclusively this study will seek to solution for sustainable forest management and promote collaborative approach to stakeholders to tackle climate change in the IHR. By integrating scientific knowledge with local practices, we aim to enhance the resilience of Himalayan ecosystems through active community involvement in conservation initiatives.
Gianalberto Losapio
Khelidj, Nora; Tu, Bao Ngan; Velasquez, Laura
Abstract/Description
Mountains serve as critical biodiversity observatories, offering unique insights into the ecological impacts of climate change. Among the most striking transformations in these environments is the retreat of glaciers, which is reshaping species distributions, forcing new biotic interactions, and restructuring ecological networks. However, how these emerging networks develop and respond to environmental change and in turn influence ecosystem functions remains poorly understood. In this presentation, I will synthesize recent studies examining how glacier retreat directly and indirectly alters biodiversity and ecosystem functions in mountain ecosystems. We observed sharp shifts in plant, animal, and soil microorganism communities, plant–pollinator and plant–soil microbe networks with glacier retreat. Plant facilitation and symbiotic interactions enhance biodiversity in recently deglaciated terrains, while plant competition driven by shrub encroachment and soil acidification in later successional stages reduced species persistence. Our findings reveal an initial increase in interaction diversity following glacier retreat, followed by an ultimate decline with glacier extinction. These cascading effects undermine key ecosystem functions and services, including regulating and material contribution from pioneer, threatened species. These results highlight the value of ecological network approaches in biodiversity assessment and underscore the need for integrated, long-term monitoring strategies that enhance biodiversity maintenance, sustain ecosystem services, and support human welfare in mountain regions.
Climate Services for Supporting the Strategy for the Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change of the Autonomous Province of Trento (Italian Alps)
Michael Matiu
Napoli, Anna; Laiti, Lavinia; Barbiero, Roberto; Tombolato, David; Monsorno, Silvia Scarian; Bellin, Alberto; Zardi, Dino; Majone, Bruno
Abstract/Description
Recognizing the increasing urgency of climate change, many regional administrations are currently developing tailored adaptation strategies primarily grounded in the knowledge of the unique characteristics of their territories, including climate patterns, local atmospheric dynamics, topography, and, more importantly, environmental and socio-economic factors. Yet, exploiting this wealth of information to design effective climate strategies is still a problem. This study outlines the approach adopted to lay the foundation for the mitigation and adaptation strategy of the Trentino region, a mountainous area in northern Italy and part of the European Alps. Here, we present three major steps of this approach, highlighting the collaborative effort of several actors s: 1) Preparing a scientific report reviewing the existing knowledge basis about climate change impacts in the region, 2) Disseminating a synthesis to the general public, and 3) Creation of reference climate scenarios. The literature review revealed significant diversity in the extent and in the depth of analysis from scientific contributions in different sectors regarding the impacts of climate change in Trentino. This diversity was reflected in the informative report, in which a methodical process was employed to simplify and synthesize technical information without sacrificing scientific accuracy. We created climatic scenarios that balance e multiple aspects such as topography, data availability, and stakeholders needs. To achieve this we used a layered approach including spatially aggregated results, statistical downscaling, and high-resolution numerical simulations with a convection-permitting model. This study indicates a general increase in temperatures, with a more pronounced rising of winter minima and summer maxima. Extreme precipitation is expected to increase in intensity and frequency, while seasonal variations depend on the emissions scenario.
Gelito Inacio Franco Sululu
Abstract/Description
Mozambique is a poor country and the target of major tropical cyclones such as Gombe, Idai, Eloise, Kenneth, Shallane, Dineo, Freddy, Álvaro Filipo, Gormane, El Nino, Olga and is currently being ravaged by the major tropical cyclone Chido. This is putting biodiversity in danger of extinction and putting the Mozambican population in a humanitarian crisis. With the project called Youth Led Ocean Protect, funded by the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, we have already restored more than 200 hectares devastated by the great tropical cyclones (recovery of lowlands for agricultural production and environmental management), creation of agro-livestock associations (inclusion of marginalised women, girls and young people in the creation of self-employment through agricultural production and job creation through the green economy), mapping and micro-zoning of community lands, creation of community agendas for the sustainable use of land and other natural resources, creation and formalisation of natural resource management committees, sensitisation of communities to combat uncontrolled burning, sensitisation of communities to plant trees and mangroves in areas devastated by major tropical cyclones. Our activities are being carried out in the villages of Ngoo, Chia, Mbueca and Mala in the Partial Reserve of Lake Niassa, Mozambique.
Climate Change and Increasing Anthropogenic Pressure: Impact on Biodiversity and Stability of the Western Ghats Mountain Ecosystem
Shadananan Nair
Abstract/Description
Climate change together with land degradation is a threat to the biodiversity of the Western Ghats Mountain, one of the recognized global biodiversity hot spots in India that represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes. Climate extremes, unsustainable use of resources, mining and unwise policies pose serious threat to the mountain and existence of many rare and costly medicinal plants and precious trees in the forests. Encroachment and introduction of plantation crops in the last century lead to the depletion of vast area of natural forests. Poachers have widely destroyed the precious trees such as sandal, rosewood and teak. Major hydropower projects submerged large areas of forests. Rainfall in the region is becoming more seasonal and intense, resulting in the erosion of the already degraded soil. Casualties associated with landslides have increased significantly. Long dry season and falling groundwater storage make seasonal plants extinct. Because of increasing thunderstorms, forest fire becomes common. Strong winds uproot big trees. Shift in regional climate may affect the biodiversity significantly. Changes in the mountain environment have large socio-economic impact such as shortage of reliable water because of sedimentation in rivers and reservoirs, falling food production, hiking price conflicts over allocation, and internal migration. Shortage of water and food leads to human animal conflicts and dozens of people die every year from wildlife attack. Rules and regulations to protect the mountain and forests become farce because of weak administration, corruption and vested political interference. Sustainable forest management may boost the current economic development and help alleviating poverty of the tribals. There are large areas of restorable degraded forests and afforestable wastelands. Community forest projects with the cooperation of local population could improve livelihood conditions of the poor. The mega schemes such as the ‘green India mission’ could be better implemented with their help. Present paper assesses the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on the Western Ghats and its forests. Current policies and strategies related to mountains, climate, forest and environment have been critically reviewed to suggest guidelines for adaptation and an appropriate national policy.
Tashi Paldon
Seldon, Choeying
Abstract/Description
Rural, predominantly agrarian, areas in Bhutan are experiencing two concurrent trends, namely: 1) extensive outmigration, particularly among the youth, either to urban centers such as Thimphu or Phuentsholing or to international destinations like Australia, and 2) the effects of anthropogenic climate change that intervene with, and often adversely affect, agricultural returns, or that require innovation in terms of crop selection and farming techniques to sustain in the long run. The paper offers an intersectional approach to climate change and migration about the adaptive capacity of origin places. We do so through two case-studies of places that are currently expe- riencing both extensive out-migration and the impacts of climate change, namely Denchuka Gewog in Samtse and Kurtoe Gewog in Lhuntse. In Denchuka, we trace the brief history of cardamom production and focus on how the current decline in cardamom yields, re- sulting from climate change impacts has reduced the wellbeing of farming communities thereby influencing migration decisions. In Kur- toe, we note the presence of gungtongs (empty houses), which continue to grow in numbers despite concerted, and notably successful, efforts by the government to extend infrastructure, development, and other government services in the area. Crucially, in both areas we consider migration in relation to the wellbeing, adaptive capacity, and resilience of the left-behind farming communities.
Investigation of aerosol effects on diurnal cycle of precipitation amount, frequency and intensity over Central Africa.
Stella Lydie Matho Lontio
Komkoua Mbienda, Armand Joel; Demeko Yemih, Patience
Abstract/Description
Regional climate is affected by a wide variety of aerosols which modify through their radiative effects the precipitation distribution. In this article, the effects of aerosols, mainly dust aerosols on diurnal cycle of precipitation amount, frequency and intensity are investigated over central Africa by using the latest version of the Abdu Salam ICTP regional climate model coupled with the Community Land Model 4.5 as land surface scheme. Two sets of experiments have been conducted (one with aerosols interaction with dynamics and thermodynamics processes and another without this interaction) for a 10-year study period (2002–2011) and the Fourier transformation is used to study the 24-h cycle. In order to clearly understand spatial differences in RegCM experiments over central Africa, three subregions have been considered according to their land cover and climate characteristics. Our results indicate that the pattern of simulated aerosol optical depth (AOD) is well represented particularly northward of the study region compared to AOD from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) even if some differences in terms of magnitude are reported. The aerosols’ effects on diurnal cycle are generally not similar to those found in the amplitude and phase. The result pointed out that over the Sahelian region, atmospheric aerosol in general and dust in particular always induced a positive effect on diurnal cycle (increase the magnitude of the cycle) of precipitation intensities and in precipitation amount and precipitation frequency as well. But, the change is opposite in terms of amplitude and peak time over some subregions. It appears that the forcing of aerosols in solar radiation as well as in latent heat flux leads to the changes in the amplitude of the precipitation amount during the DJF and JAS seasons particularly during daytime. The changes in amplitude of the precipitation frequency are not consistent even if the corresponding phase always tends to increase by up to 5 h.
Environmentally friendly agricultural and sustainable upland rice cultivation in the Thai highland
Adirek Punyalue
Yusuk, Pedcharada; Jaikeang, Thanyaphisit; Keawmuangmoon, Chaiwat; Pawasut, Achara
Abstract/Description
Most farmers in Thai highlands are hill tribes. They grow rice for household consumption in two ways: upland rice and paddy rice. Traditional upland rice cultivation, each household has 5-7 areas, which are rotated to grow rice in each area every year. In preparing upland rice fields, farmers cut down trees and burn it, causes dust and soil erosion. Upland rice yields are only 200 – 300 kg/rai (1.25 – 1.88 ton/ha), which is not enough for household consumption. Highland and Development Institute (Public Organization); HRDI has encouraged farmers to change the shifting cultivation in 3 ways; (1) Transform upland rice to terrace paddy rice (2) Rotating upland rice with legume, and (3) Transform upland rice to alternative environmentally friendly crops. This was carried out in collaboration with farmers in Huai Thon village. Bo Kluea District, Nan Province, from 2014 to 2023. We found that (1) There were 96 households (76% of the community) transform upland rice to terrace paddy rice, the area requirement was reduced from 1.12 – 1.6 ha/household/year to 0.32 ha/household/year, and the rice yield increased from 1.25 – 1.88 ton/ha to 3.13 – 3.75 ton/ha, sufficient for family consumption throughout the year. (2) Rotating upland rice with legume (rice bean, Vigna umbellata). The rice yield of rotating upland rice with rice bean by 4.1 ton/ha, while traditional cultivation by 2.8 ton/ha. Rice bean had a dry matter weight of 5.48 ton/ha, which was equivalent to 88.1 N kg/ha returned to the soil. In addition, it was generated an income for farmers 540.1 $/ha. (3) Transform upland rice to alternative environmentally friendly crops, coffee and avocado, the area was transforming 106.4 ha (average 1.12 ha/household) and it make more income 91,485 $. The changing, in the part of economy, increased income average from 147.1 – 1,176.5 $/household/year to 2,941- 7,352 $/household/year. Socially, farmers strengthen to manage by groups. For environmental, alternative agricultural system can reduce burning in agricultural areas and increase forest area 216 ha. That good practices for environmentally friendly agricultural and sustainable upland rice cultivation in the Thai highlands.
Patience Demeko Yemih
Komkoua Mbienda, Armand Joel; Matho Lontio, Stella Lydie
Abstract/Description
Extreme temperatures driven by global warming pose significant challenges to ecosystems, infrastructure, and human activities in worldwide, particularly in regions such as Central Africa, which exhibits low resilience and limited capacity for adaptation and mitigation. The present study examines the performance of the RegCM4 model in reproducing extreme temperatures in Central Africa during the 2002-2006 period, considered as the control period, and evaluates the variations in the near future under the emission scenarios RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5. The study uses six extreme temperature indices based on the recommendations of the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). These include four intensity indices and two duration indices. Special attention has been given to two sub-regions integrated into the study area for more specific analysis. The first sub-region, named Zone 1, is semi-arid, while the second, named Zone 2, is humid. In the context of our projections, particular attention has also been given to a third sub-region, named Zone 3.
We found that regardless of the region or season, RegCM4 performs quite well in simulating intensity indices related to daily minimum temperatures (TNn and TNx), with underestimations not exceeding 4°C. For intensity indices based on daily maximum temperatures (TXx and TXn), warm biases can reach 10°C, attributed to the model’s limitations in representing solar and surface thermal fluxes. While warm sequences are overestimated, cold sequences are better captured. Statistical evaluations confirm RegCM4’s suitability for studying extreme temperatures, particularly for TNn, TNx, and cold sequences (CSDI), which were prioritized in projections.
Future projections indicate a widespread increase in intensity indices, especially in northern regions, while Zones 2 and 3 experience a milder effect. Under RCP8.5, extreme warming surpasses 30°C in several areas. Compared to 1985-2004, biases suggest moderate changes under RCP4.5 (1-2°C) but significant shifts under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 (2-3.5°C). Cold nights are expected to become rare, with hot nights increasing. The CSDI results predict a sharp decline in cold sequences, potentially disappearing under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5. However, under RCP4.5, cold sequences may persist, with gaps reaching 40 days regionally and up to 80 days in Zone 1.
Mechanisms of Slope instabilities along the Hill Roads of Nepal: A Case Study from Beni-Jomson Road, Gandaki Province
Prakash Chandra Ghimire
Dhital, Megh Raj
Abstract/Description
Nepal is situated in the seismically active Himalayan region, where the construction of roads has notably increased the frequency of slope instabilities. These instabilities, including landslides, rockfalls, topple events, debris flows, and gully erosion, are commonly observed along roads in the Nepal Himalayas. This research investigates the causes and mechanisms behind landslides along a section of the Beni-Jomsom Road in Gandaki Province, Nepal. The study applies time series analysis to examine the mechanisms and frequencies of different instability types, taking into account various environmental factors along the road. The research employs specific tools GIS, WAVELET, SPSS, ORIGIN to analyze the landform, surrounding geology, geological structures, and geotechnical characteristics of the soil and rocks. The study reveals that the primary causes of instability along the road are translational slides, debris flows, and rockfalls/rockslides, with these events occurring repeatedly after road construction. The results highlight a clear connection between road-building activities and the occurrence of slope instability in the region. This research will serve as an important reference for authorities, providing valuable insights for managing and mitigating slope instability in future road construction projects. Key Words: Hill Roads, Slope instabilities, Mechanism, Time series analysis, Himalaya.
Geospatial Monitoring and Assessing of SO₂ and NO₂ Gaseous Impacts on Land Dynamics in the Halwani Himalayan Tarai Regions Using Google Earth Engine
Akash Kashyap
Parashar, Deepanshu
Abstract/Description
Air pollution, particularly from sulfur dioxide (SO₂) has significant environmental implications, influencing both atmospheric quality and terrestrial ecosystems. This study employs online based platform of Google Earth Engine (GEE) for geospatial analysis to monitor SO₂ concentrations in the Halwani Himalayan Tarai Regions and assess their impact on land dynamics. This research analyses spatial and temporal variations in pollutant levels and their correlations with vegetation health and land cover changes. The Halwani Himalayan Tarai Regions, known for its varied topography and climatic diversity, is experiencing rising anthropogenic emissions due to urban expansion, biomass combustion, and industrial activities. These pollutants contribute to atmospheric deposition, causing soil acidification and stress on vegetation. Consequently, these environmental changes disturb the local ecological equilibrium, potentially impacting biodiversity and ecosystem stability. by integrating satellite-derived datasets, machine learning algorithms, and remote sensing data-derived band indices. such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). GEE provide an efficient framework for large-scale monitoring of natural resources dynamics and their environmental interactions. The study utilizes multi-temporal satellite imagery from Sentinel-5P TROPOMI, and Sentinel-2a processed within the GEE cloud-computing platform to extract pollutant trends and their interactions with land surface dynamics. Findings indicate a strong seasonal dependency of SO₂ concentrations, with higher levels observed during winter due to temperature inversion effects, and a notable reduction in NDVI values corresponding to peak pollution events. This research provides critical insights into atmospheric-terrestrial interactions, emphasizing the need for continuous geospatial monitoring of air pollutants in ecologically sensitive regions. Integrating machine learning in pollution assessment enhances predictive capabilities, aiding policymakers in designing mitigation strategies to minimize the environmental consequences of anthropogenic emissions in the Halwani Himalayan Tarai Regions.
Alice Baronetti
Provenzale, Antonello; Fiorucci, Paolo
Abstract/Description
This study explores, for the first time, the climatic drivers influencing the monthly burned area (BA) during the winter fire season in northern Italy from 2008 to 2022, with a particular focus on the mountainous regions. The GPS-based BA perimeters were converted into the monthly percentage of burned area for the winter fire season (November to April) at a spatial resolution of 0.11 degrees. The results of the analysis indicated that in northern Italy, wildfires predominantly occur in mountainous regions, including the Alps, Apennines, and pre-Alpine areas. These fire-prone regions exhibit a winter fire regime, with high fire return period, ranging from 1 to 1.5 years, whereas in the Po Valley, it exceeds 7.5 years. Based on the CORINE Land Cover map, the vegetation classes most susceptible to wildfires and their typical elevation ranges were detected and Deciduous Broadleaf Forests were found to be the most susceptible vegetation class. Together, a total of 150 daily ground series of precipitation and of maximum and minimum temperature were collected, aggregated at a monthly scale, reconstructed, homogenised, and spatialised (0.11° spatial resolution ) by mean of Universal Kriging with auxiliary variables. Several climatic indices were computed for precipitation for temperature and for drought. To detect the best BA predictors, we computed the Pearson’s correlation test between BA and different temporal aggregations of climatic indices. Only the strongest and statistically significant correlations were retained. For each pixel, we constructed multilinear regression models using all possible combinations of the significant divers. The best model regressions were selected by mean of an out-of-sample procedure, and the model performance was tested by comparing predicted BA with the observed data, analysing explained variance and correlation. The modelling results for the 2008-2022 winter fire season in northern Italy has revealed that fire activity in is primarily driven by water stress rather than high temperatures. The most influential predictors of were precipitation and water balance recorded between December and March of the current fire year.
Analysis of Glacier Variation and Historical GLOF Events of Badswat Glacier using Geospatial Techniques
Parisa Karim
Abstract/Description
Glaciers are very important natural resources of fresh water in the world. Sometimes glaciers are also called water towers. The Himalayan, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush “HKH” mountain series, having thousands of glaciers, play a vital role in the survival of humans and other living organisms in the adjacent areas. The glacier meltwater from the HKH region feeds dozens of rivers, including the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers, and other rivers of Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, and Afghanistan. These rivers play a vital role in agriculture, drinking, and hydro-power generation in the sub-catchment areas. Global warming and glacier melting is one of the major issues in the world, especially in the HKH mountain region, which eventually triggered Glacier Lake Outburst Flood “GLOF” events and is responsible for the destruction of infrastructure, bridges, agricultural land, and residential areas of the villages in the sub-catchment areas. Badswat Glacier is vulnerable to global warming and had multiple GLOF events in the past. This research aims to analyze the temporal changes in Badswat Glacier from 1990 to 2020 using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Satellite imagery from USGS Landsat (1994, 2001, 2010, 2015, and 2021) was processed to assess glacier retreat, changes in snow cover, and the presence of glacier lakes. The findings indicate a reduction in glacier-covered area from 222.66 km² in 1994 to 206 km² in 2021, with a total glacier retreat of 480 meters over the study period. Multiple glacier lakes were identified, highlighting the potential risk of future GLOF events. Historical data analysis indicates that Badswat Valley experienced two major GLOF events, on July 18, 2018, and July 18, 2021. These events, triggered by sub-glacial lakes, caused destruction to agricultural land, blocked the Karambar River, and damaged infrastructure. The 2018 event led to the destruction of 2,431.52 kanals of agricultural land, while the 2021 event affected 1,245.41 kanals, destroyed orchards and homes, and displaced local communities. Both events highlight the increasing vulnerability of Badswat Glacier to climate-induced hazards and the need for proactive monitoring and mitigation strategies
Nexus of Science and Society in Risk Perception: Lessons from the 2012 Seti River Flash Flood in Nepal
Deepak Aryal
Paudel, Jiban; lPokhare, Binod; Kattel, Parameswari; Munoz Christine, Jurt Vicuna
Abstract/Description
Western science and local knowledge are often rooted in distinct epistemological and ontological frameworks, leading to divergent ideologies and approaches to understanding phenomena, including risks and risk perceptions. This work explores the potential for collaboration between western or natural science and local knowledge to better comprehend flood risks in mountainous regions, using the 2012 Seti River flash flood in central Nepal as a case study. In this study the scientific knowledge—supported by facts, figures, and models—explains the flood as a consequence of increased water levels triggered by changing precipitation patterns, rapid glacier melt, glacial lake outbursts, landslides, and river blockages. On the other hand, local narratives attribute the flood to moral decay, cosmological imbalances, spiritual indeterminacy, greed, and environmental disruptions. The study also examines the failure of a relocation program for flood-affected households, highlighting the disconnect between external interventions and local realities. Findings underscore that while western science and local perspectives differ fundamentally in their explanations of risk, neither approach alone can fully account for the complexity of flood-induced risks. In this work we are mainly focus on the interaction and collaboration between these knowledge systems that can serve as a critical meeting point for achieving a more contextual and holistic understanding of risks. By integrating diverse epistemologies, this study advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to risk assessment and disaster management.
Aziz Soltobaev
Pietrosemoli, Ermanno; Zennaro, Marco; Sultanov, Talant
Abstract/Description
Kyrgyzstan, a landlocked nation in Central Asia, is characterized by its rugged mountainous terrain, which covers approximately 90% of its land area. This unique geography poses specific challenges related to climate vulnerability. To address these challenges, we propose a comprehensive approach that involves gathering meteorological data and making it accessible to decision-makers. By leveraging LoRaWAN communication technology, which efficiently transmits sparse and low-speed data over long distances while minimizing power consumption, we can enhance climate resilience. The Internet Society Kyrgyz Chapter, in collaboration with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the Central Asia Institute for Applied Geosciences (CAIAG), has initiated the installation of meteorological sensors and disaster mitigation devices, including river water level sensors, terrain moisture sensors, and tilt detectors. These sensors collect critical data, which is stored within the country on an ad hoc server. Stakeholders can access this data according to their specific requirements. This paper outlines the criteria for selecting the deployed equipment and provides details on the installation process at pilot sites, along with the challenges encountered during project execution.
Assessing the wind hazard of mountain forests through high-resolution remote sensed and climate future projections: a pilot study in the Italian Alps
Paul Richter
Fosser, Giorgia; Baggio, Tommaso; Lingua, Emanuele
Abstract/Description
Climate change is increasing the frequency and the magnitude of extreme meteorological events, including windstorms, which pose a growing threat to the forests and the ecosystem services they provide. In mountainous regions such as the Alps, forests play a crucial role in protecting against gravitational hazards, a function that may be compromised due to wind-induced damage. Identifying forests most vulnerable to extreme windstorms is therefore essential to enhance their resilience. In this study, we assess the forest wind vulnerability of the Cordevole catchment (~ 700 km2), using high-resolution LiDAR data to extract detailed stand and individual tree-level characteristics. These data serve as inputs for the semi-mechanistic ForestGALES model, which estimates the forest wind vulnerability. The probability and the magnitude of wind damages are calculated using km-scale Convection Permitting Models (CPMs) from CORDEX-FPS on Convective Phenomena over Europe and the Mediterranean (FPS Convection). Specifically, we used wind data from the CPMs ensemble for both historical (1996-2006) and future (2090-2099 conditions. The resulting maps show the likelihood of forest wind damage under both current conditions and RCP 8.5 future scenario, identifying the areas with higher exposure. The methodology to derive the forest wind susceptibility was validated for a smaller area respect the Cordevole catchment by using the observed damages of the Vaia storm, occurred in 2018. The final hazard maps classify wind disturbance hazard into three levels (low, medium, high). The spatial analysis highlights areas where active forest operations are necessary to improve the forest resistance. At the scale of the Cordevole catchment the extent of the cumulative hazard of forest damages will be double in the future compared to historical conditions. This study underscores the importance of integrating high-resolution forest and climate data to assess the vulnerability of natural resources against windstorms. By combining detailed forest structure data with advanced climate projections, the adopted approach provides useful maps for forest management and climate adaptation planning.
Heritage, activism and guardianship: a way toward cultural sustainability? The example of the Alpine chapel of St. Erim and its landscape
Asja Gollo
Abstract/Description
Due to major socio-economic shifts that have happened over time, abandoned landscapes are widespread in the Italian Alps. While they are one of the visible signs of changes in land use and territoriality, in terms of emotional experience they also provoke a sense of loss and a feel of nostalgia for a temporal and spatial past. However, nostalgic feelings can be productive, enable actions ─ such as the recover and reuse of cultural landscapes ─ and significantly contribute to community renewal. In fact, the heritage value of landscapes that fall out of the purview of formal processes of patrimonialisation often emerge from those groups whose identity is embedded in those places. Based on ongoing research on the culture-sustainability nexus among ethno-linguistic minorities in the Italian Alps, this contribution focuses on the transboundary minority of the Brigaschi and explores the heritagisation of a small chapel and surrounding landscape located in the Alpine pastures of the Valle dei Maestri (Nature Park of Marguareis, Western Alps), where also a modern hut was built in the 2000s. Multiple landscapes (e)merge with each other and their components move at different paces, challenging the ethical and aesthetical dimension of the chapel’s heritagisation. The life cycle of this landscape and its heritagisation are discussed within the frame of cultural sustainability: the recover and reuse of this abandoned landscape can be seen as a form of cultural activism and its conservation is guided by principles of care and guardianship, both signalling that there is value in it and it is considered something to be inherited. Considering both the spatial/temporal and the ethical/aesthetical challenges, this contribution also reflects on whether the way this process is being handled by the minority and whether the latter has the potential to make the chapel and its landscape a meaningful long-term presence.
Tamar Koblianidze
Abstract/Description
Global climate change poses significant challenges for underdeveloped mountain regions, necessitating adaptive approaches where both formal and non-formal education play a crucial role. The Faculty of Sustainable Mountain Development at the GTU has successfully implemented such initiatives. For livestock farmers in mountainous areas, producing their own food products is essential, as it impacts production costs, socio-economic conditions, and environmental effectiveness. Research in the Shida Kartli foothills identified irrigation and precipitation as key issues. Spring crops suffer from insufficient precipitation (131 mm), requiring irrigation, which is financially burdensome due to the high costs of sourcing water from the river. In contrast, autumn crops benefit from adequate precipitation (402 mm), making them a more viable option. A local young farmer, with guidance from a faculty professor, tested the yield of autumn crops in the milk-wax phase, achieving exemplary results. These methods are now being adopted by other farmers in the mountainous regions. Faculty students with professors are working on climate-smart technology in Horticulture and growing demand for early potatoes is met largely by imported, perishable, and inorganic products. In contrast, local greenhouses can reliably produce organic potatoes as early as April, benefiting from early and medium varieties. The farmer’s use of greenhouses has led to additional income from super-early organic potatoes. Additionally, students started working innovative biotechnological methods, in vitro, to produce early seed potatoes in mountainous areas, sharing their findings with mountain region communities.
Lukas Hartleif
Abstract/Description
Precarious livelihoods in mountain regions (Wilson & Dashper, 2023) fueled among other reasons by the cost of living crisis (Cró & Martins, 2024) as well as the tarnished employer image (Mölk et al., 2022) pose an extraordinary challenge for tourism employers that aim to hire and retain workforce (Liu-Lastres et al., 2023). Furthermore, employees may also face psychological pressure due to the enhanced importance of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace (Liu et al., 2024). Thus, it is crucial to understand: How do employees and job seekers perceive employers and working conditions in tourism during the generative AI shift?
The human researcher will collaborate with an large-language-model (LLM) (Arora et al., 2025) for the purpose of a literature review (Bichler et al., 2022). While the human author will define keywords based on crucial papers (Liu-Lastres et al., 2024; Mölk et al., 2022) in order to derive literature from the Web-of-Science (Newbert, 2007), the LLM will be an aide during the review process of the abstracts. Via Retrieval-Augmented-Generation (RAG) abstracts found in the Web-Of-Science database will be provided to an LLM (Arora et al., 2025). The LLM can obtain the abstracts and query the texts via a chain-of-thought (CoT) process (Arora et al., 2025; Wei et al., 2022). The results can validate the human assessment of the researcher, who also will take the abstracts into consideration (Sarkis-Onofre et al., 2021). Therefore, the literature is approached in a way that combines strengths from the PRISMA method and contemporary LLMs.
Vivek Vivek
Abstract/Description
Since the very inception of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in 1986, the EIA has become a decisive tool in bridging the gap between environment and development. However, with the changing climatic scenarios and disasters becoming frequent and intensive, conservation of environment has become pivotal in day-to-day activities. Hence, this is forcing a relook into existing system of EIA from a disaster perspective. The paper elaborates the existing structure of EIA as been carryout by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in India, and dissects it further to reveal its standard setup in the context of environment and disaster. The present scenarios of disasters are often outcomes anthropogenic activities done in the name of development, and these developments often lead the disturbance in the fragile ecosystems to disasters. This provides an entry point to relook into EIA procedure, identify causes and utilise the opportunity to take prompt corrective measures much before such development turns into a disaster. This paper helps in understanding enabling and corrective measures to effectively addressee the issue of environmental degradation induced disaster. The work contributes to a novel perspective to EIA by scoping disaster in the existing structure, and identify the steps that is falling short. The findings recommend essential introduction of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) components to environment mitigation plan in a more cohesive way.
Climate Change Velocity and Spatial Prioritization for Mountain Biodiversity Conservation
Qi Lai
Beierkuhnlein, Carl
Abstract/Description
Mountain ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to climate change, yet they also serve as essential refugia for biodiversity. Our research examines the impacts of shifting climate patterns on protected areas, with a particular focus on mountain regions, where species distributions and ecological processes are undergoing rapid transformation. Using climate change velocity as a metric, we identify areas experiencing accelerated habitat shifts, highlighting the limitations of static conservation boundaries in these highly dynamic landscapes.
By integrating high-resolution climate projections with environmental data, we developed a spatial prioritization framework to identify both biodiversity hotspots and potential climate refugia in mountain regions. Our findings highlight that high-altitude areas, such as the Alps, exhibit a high proportion of climate change hotspots, where species are exposed to rapid shifts in climatic conditions. Conversely, certain Mediterranean and Anatolian mountain regions act as coldspots, providing potential refugia due to their slower climate velocity. Importantly, we reveal that topographic diversity plays a critical role in buffering species from climate change, while areas with low topographic complexity face heightened exposure.
Effective conservation in mountain regions requires dynamic, climate-smart strategies. We emphasize the need for adaptive conservation planning that prioritizes both hotspots, where biodiversity is most at risk, and coldspots, which serve as vital refugia. Protected areas such as Natura 2000 sites that overlap with climate-sensitive mountain zones should be prioritized for conservation action, as expanding these networks remains challenging in densely populated regions. Strengthening the resilience of mountain ecosystems through targeted, forward-thinking conservation planning will be key to safeguarding biodiversity in the face of accelerating climate change.
Fausto Sarmiento
Chávez, Renato
Abstract/Description
I am presenting the theoretical model that explain the conceptual framework of Andean identity. In the past, the notion of identity in the Andes have been referred as “lo andino” vaguely explaining the unique features of the people living in the South American cordillera. I am submitting a new look into the characterization of Andean people based on physical (Andeanity), psychological (Andeaness) and spiritual (Andeanitude) affiliations that interact to define the identity of the people of the Andes. In the past, anthropologists have equated the duality-based construction mimicking Asian philosophy of the dilemma of yin-yan. I have resurrected the philosophy of Ayni (reciprocity) to build scenarios of livelihood factors (geoliteracy), of epistemology (ecoliteracy), and of ontology (sopholiteracy) to crosscut the system with the transdisciplinary trend of montology, creating a trilemma of identity markers that explain the ‘essence’ of Andean being, between Yanantin, Masantin, and Tawantin present in individual or collective actions, in soft or hard pressures, or in contrasting opposing views or a continuum of choices.
Health Care Accessibility And Quality In Hilly Terrains: A Case Study Of Srinagar Town , Uttarakhand, India
Shivani Shukla
Shukla, Shashank
Abstract/Description
Background and objective: Health is an essential part of life, quality and accessibility of health Care centers are major concern. Improvement in health care infrastructure is necessary ,the Healthcare facilities need to be accessible at first .In this paper studied and examine the health care Service their facilities, quality and accessibility in hilly areas, challenges and problems related to Health centers and people perception about the health institution. All these issues were major Concern in this paper. Methodology: For data collection we used both primary and secondary data , for assessment of Health care centers, to evaluate its quality and accessibility questionnaire has been designed and For people perception about the health centers in their areas group discussion and questionnaire Were framed. Data related to availability of primary health centers ,community health centers, Number of pharmacy shops and private clinics in study areas, these data collected through Secondary sources like government website and articles .GPS and GIS technique were used for Making a map for study area .Random sampling methods were used for questionnaire samples and Discussions were open ended .
Results and Conclusion : Primary health care center in study area provide basic amenities of health Care, there are private clinics mostly dental and orthopaedic were found. There is one government Hospital in study area which provide basic facilities like general surgery ,gyneocology emergency Service, radiology, labarotary services. There is no cardiology specialist, MRI machines ,blood Bank ,transplant surgery are lacking. Sometimes ambulance facing a challenge to reached its Destination due to natural calamities and geographical barrier. People are satisfied by the facilities Provided in primary health centers but they want some improvement in their health care facilities Apart from basic amenities they need some advanced medical facilities and specialist doctors in Their health care centers. In terms of hygiene people were well pleased. KEYWORDS:, Health care Perception, Patient Satisfaction, Health ,Government Hospital
Projected changes in population exposure to extreme precipitation events over Central Africa under the global warming levels of 1.5°C and 2°C: insights from CMIP6 simulations
Zakariahou Ngavom
Ngavom, Zakariahou; Fotso-Nguemo, Thierry C.; Vondou, Derbetini A.
Abstract/Description
Assessing the impacts of limiting the Global Warming Level (GWL) of 1.5°C or 2°C is crucial for strengthening adaptation to climate change in Central Africa. This study uses an ensemble-mean of the state-of-the-art global climate models from Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) initiative, to appraise changes in extreme precipitation events and population exposure risks under these GWL thresholds. To accomplish that, we consider extreme precipitation indices defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices to capture the response of future changes in mean, duration and intense precipitation, under an additional increased warming of 0.5°C following two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). Furthermore, the projected population datasets over the 21st century under the SSPs scenarios are also incorporated. The results reveal that for an additional increased warming of 0.5°C, the dry spells duration would significantly increase by up to 10% over countries such as Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and Zambia, whatever the considered scenario. In addition, the intense precipitation amounts, which often contributes to the emergence of severe floods are expected to significantly increase by up to 25% over the northern part of the domain, with a greater spatial extent projected when the GWL reaches 2°C under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. The result also showed that limiting GWL to 1.5°C compared to 2°C would significantly contribute to avoid 50-100 million person-mm/year living in countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, and Uganda being exposed to extremely wet weather conditions. Moreover, increased population growth has been identified as the main driver contributing to amplifying these changes. The insights of this study, which provides a quantitative estimation on the population exposure risks to climate extremes events in the context of the Paris Agreement objectives, could assist the subregion’s policy-makers to target more effectively the adaptation strategies to be implemented at national and local levels.
Forecasting extreme rainfall in Ecuador’s coastal Andean mountains and Amazon region using Neural Networks.
Angela Maylee Iza Wong
Abstract/Description
Heavy rainfall events that trigger floods with economic and social consequences in Ecuador can be caused mainly by seasonal events such as El Nino, sub-seasonal events such as the Madden Julian Oscillation, or mesoscale convective systems that develop in a few hours. Given the significant influence of extreme rainfall, it is essential to have a system for forecasting extreme rain to help prepare more effectively to face this threat and mitigate its impact. Although the application of neural networks in weather forecasting has been going on for almost two decades, in recent years, the application and development of algorithms have advanced at a dizzying pace. However, in Ecuador, there are few studies on applying neural networks to weather forecasting and much less on forecasting extreme rainfall events, which are events with social and economic consequences of significant impact. In addition, the complexity of predicting extreme events, given the chaotic behavior of the atmosphere, is still well known. Although global and mesoscale meteorological models are currently used for weather forecasting, it is still complex to forecast the amount of precipitation with such precision and in such advance that they can help prevent the effects they may cause. This study uses a neural network technique to analyze a twenty-year time series of meteorological data from surface weather stations in the country’s coastal, inter-Andean, and Amazonian regions with different climate patterns. Firstly, an exploratory data analysis is performed to observe the relationship between the variables: rainfall, average, minimum, and maximum temperature, average relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, and cellophane. The study then proceeds to implement a neural network for extreme events. The neural network is optimized by adjusting the number of neurons in the hidden layer to achieve the lowest mean square error (MSE) and the highest coefficient of determination (R2). The results demonstrate that Extreme Learning Machine’s single-layer feed-forward network model effectively forecasts extreme rainfall. The implemented neural network model performs best in the inter-Andean region, with the lowest mean square errors. The Amazon region follows this, and lastly, the coastal area of Ecuador.
Jack Keilo
Abstract/Description
Societies use oronyms to give meaning to and to change landscape (Ex. gr. The change from the Montagne maudite to the Mont Blanc). I aim to show how place names are used a posteriori to give political meaning to heritage landscape.
Qurnat es Sawda is the highest point of Mount Lebanon (3088 m), dominating the Cedars of God and the Qadisha Valley, both world heritage sites. This oronym’s etymology is subject to debate: in Arabic, it means «the black corner», used by goatherds and reported for the first time by Richard Burton in the 1870s. Meanwhile, the Maronite Church affirms that the etymology derives from the Syriac Qorno t’Sohde, «the Martyrs’ peak». In this regard, the oronym would relate to the Mamluk campaign of 1283 and the mass killings of many of the inhabitants, later Arabised to what it is now. This name interpretation, unknown in written sources before the 19th C., is officially condoned by the Maronite Patriarchate. The apparent banality of «the black corner» is transformed and integrated into the holy and Biblical landscape of Lebanon. In this regard, the oronym etymology becomes itself a cornerstone of meaning to a world heritage site legitimising the Maronite vision of Lebanon.
Burton, Sir Richard Francis, et Charles Frederick Tyrwhitt-Drake. Unexplored Syria: Visits to the Libanus, the Tulúl El Safá, the Anti-Libanus, the Northern Libanus, and the ’Aláh. Vol. 1 and 2. Tinsley brothers, 1872.
Gauchon, Christophe. « Construction toponymique ou mise en ordre du paysage touristique ? Le cas du massif du Mont-Blanc ». Actes des congrès nationaux des sociétés historiques et scientifiques 135, no 15 (2014): 79 94.
Giraut, Frédéric, et Myriam Houssay-Holzschuch. « Place Naming as Dispositif: Toward a Theoretical Framework ». Geopolitics 21, no 1 (2016): 1 21.
Keilo, Jack. « Naming the summit of Lebanon 1830-1930 ». In Conquering the world through cartography. RAOS, Brussels, 2023.
Patriarch Raï. « Letter of the Patriach Raï for the Martyrs’ year ». Saint Anthony Parish in Jdaydeh, 2017.
UNESCO. « WHC Nomination Documentation, Ouadi Qadisha and the Forest of the Cedars of God ». UNESCO, 1998.
Herding in the Highlands: Biomolecular Insights into Human-Camelid Relationship in the Andean Mountains
Sarah Noe
Haas, Randy; Aldenderfer, Mark
Abstract/Description
The high-altitude Andes posed significant challenges for early human populations, including hypoxia, cold temperatures, and high metabolic demands. Despite these constraints, the domestication and management of llamas and alpacas enabled long-term occupation by providing essential resources for transport, mobility, and subsistence. Emerging evidence suggests camelid domestication occurred at multiple loci across the Andes, including the Lake Titicaca Basin, the Puna of northern Chile and Argentina, and the central Andean highlands of Peru. This presentation examines patterns of camelid domestication, management, and mobility through genetic and isotopic analysis. While genetic methods have been widely applied to domestication studies globally, their use in Andean camelids remains underdeveloped. By analyzing genetic diversity and dietary signatures from archaeological remains spanning multiple sites and time periods, we explore how herding strategies evolved in response to environmental and social pressures. This research contributes to broader discussions on human-animal interactions in extreme landscapes, highlighting how biomolecular approaches refine our understanding of long-term high-altitude adaptation.
Conservation Policies in the Qilian Mountains Natural Reserve: Implications for Climate Change Mitigation and Desertification Control in the Shiyang River Basin
Maurice Ngabire
Abstract/Description
Understanding the impact of climate change on the disruption of ecological balance, especially in sub-humid environments, is a challenging task that requires continuous scientific understanding and technical efforts to effectively manage natural resources for economic development while meeting environmental needs. The Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve, situated in Northwest China, is a high-altitude mountainous region of vital ecological significance in surrounding regions and it has been significantly impacted by substantial human activities and climate change. Nevertheless, accurately quantifying the relative impacts of each driving factor presents considerable challenges and is still insufficiently understood. This study utilized a GIS-based approach and Geodetector model to quantitatively assess the interactive effects of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the Shiyang River Basin(SYRB) ecosystem. Theil-Sen’s slope in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used as a dependent variable, while elevation, near-surface air temperature, precipitation, wind velocity, land cover change, soil salinity, road buffers, waterway buffers, and soil types were independent variables for the GeoDetector model. Results indicate that NDVI in the Qilian Mountains exhibited a greening trend during the past 30 years. Analysis of power determinant (PD) values of all driving factors ranged between 0.004 and 0.567; Land Surface Temperature (LST), Elevation, and Soil salinization had the highest contributing factors, whereas wind and land cover had a relatively low impact on desertification. Investigation of interactive PD values resulted in a higher value than a single factor. In addition, some factors enhanced each other and others had a non-linear enhancement among studied driving factors implying that a single driving factor can not define the desertification status in the SYRB. These findings highlight land management contribution, rational water allocation, and conservation measures to reverse desertification and maintain a sustainable ecosystem despite climate change impacts and water resources shortage in the SYRB. In addition, this study sheds light on the environmental footprint of desertification’s main driving factors in the SYRB. It is a cornerstone for future policy on ecological restoration, crucial for landscape planning, ecological restoration projects, and water resources allocation for socio-economic and environmental sustainability.
Living Cultural Landscapes: Traditional Rice Ecosystems and Sustainable Tourism Development in the Himalayan Foothills
Mmhonlumo Kikon
Abstract/Description
Nagaland, a mountainous state in the Himalayan foothills of northeastern India, exemplifies the complex interaction between traditional agricultural systems and cultural heritage. Its indigenous rice ecosystems—jhum or shifting cultivation, rainfed rice cultivation, and wet rice cultivation—are vital for food security and embody the cultural identity and traditional ecological knowledge of the Naga people. However, they face escalating threats from anthropogenic pressures, including unsustainable tourism and landscape commodification. This study integrates participatory ethnography, geospatial analysis, and policy document review to propose how Nagaland’s traditional rice ecosystem, such as the alder-based jhum systems—enhancing soil fertility through nitrogen fixation—and Nagaland State’s policy Vision 2025 targets (such as expanding paddy cultivation to 270,640 hectares) can provide opportunities for regenerative tourism. This paper aims to inform the discourse on sustainable mountain tourism by grounding its analysis in empirical insights to advance sustainable mountain tourism that repositions traditional rice ecosystems as living cultural landscapes. It advocates for practical policy measures that align tourism development with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 (Sustainable Communities) and 15 (Life on Land), emphasizing the role of intangible heritage—such as non-orthodox rice cultivation traditions—in promoting tourist engagements while safeguarding ecological integrity. By bridging agrarian practices, cultural narratives, and tourism economies, this paper also proposes strategies for mitigating the “paradox of accessibility,” wherein infrastructure development risks destabilizing the very heritage it seeks to promote, as illustrated by the rice fields of Bali in Indonesia.
Biotic and abiotic constraints of Scots pine and mountain birch seedlings on the treeline ecotone of subarctic Finnish Lapland
Johanna Toivonen
Wallen, Henri; Stark, Sari; Kumpula, Jouko; Aakala, Tuomas
Abstract/Description
The range expansion and growth of tree seedlings on treeline ecotones are influenced by a combination of biotic and abiotic factors, including impacts of different land uses. Subarctic treeline ecotones are excellent manifestations of a stress gradient, where facilitation can be expected to increase and competition to decrease from favorable climatic conditions of closed forests to harsh climatic conditions of open tundra. We studied the growth and abundance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and mountain birch (Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii) seedlings on the treeline ecotone of the Finnish subarctic. We sampled 135 plots from an extensive reindeer pasture monitoring plot network, distributed in the main biomes of the ecotone: boreal coniferous forests, mountain birch forests and open tundra. In each plot, we measured seedling height, growth during the last three years (for Scots pine), described their microtopographic position, took soil samples and extracted climate data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s data. In this work, we will show the associations of seedling growth and density with climate and soil properties and intensity of reindeer pasture, aiming to shed light on the potential and requirements of these two species to maintain their dominance and to expand their ranges to open tundra, as the climate warms and environmental stress decreases in subarctic treelines.
Numerical study on surface settlement induced by various excavation methods and soil properties for shallow tunnel configurations
Ahmed Mohammed Hasan
Abstract/Description
This paper explores surface settlement for shallow tunnels with different cross-sectional shapes including mouth profile, horseshoe and triangle roof shapes under various excavation techniques and soil characteristic conditions. Plaxis 2D software version 2024.2 used to numerically investigate a couple influences of tunnel excavation-and-shape-induced extra surface settlement. It was concluded that the couple effect of excavation-and-shape-induced surface settlement might be significantly minimized by selecting a proper excavation technique as well as a particular tunnel configuration in a suitable soil condition. To validate the numerical results, a comparison was made with the analytical results from the Peck’s formula. An excellent agreement was observed between the analytical and the finite element analysis results.
Determining the role of natural and socio-economic factors in the transformation of mountain socio-ecological systems of the North Caucasus
Alexey Gunya
Kerimov, Ibragim; Kolbowsky, Eugene; Aleinikov, Alexei; Purekhovskii, Andrey; Popov, Ilia; Aleksutin, Vadim
Abstract/Description
The transformation of mountain socio-ecological systems is influenced by the interaction of natural, primarily climatic, and social, political and economic factors. The ratio of the contribution of different factors is not always obvious due to their overlap and the manifestation of the effects of acceleration or deceleration of transformation. In this paper, we focused on the main shifts in the transformation of the nature, population and economy of the mountainous regions of the North Caucasus over the past 30 years, based on modern data and methods of geographic information modelling. For this purpose, the current diversity of land cover within the main high-altitude landscape belts was reflected. Based on statistical data, field research and analysis of remote sensing data, an assessment is made of changes in the development of regions and landscapes of the North Caucasus. A widespread reduction in the nival-glacial zone has been noted, which reduces the potential for ski tourism. Trends in forest change are extremely uneven. Forest cover varies from 41.8% in Adygea to 11.7% in Dagestan. The greatest increase in forest area is observed near villages (as a result of gasification), the decrease is in the zone of intensive grazing livestock in the middle mountains. Within the mountainous territory there is a relatively small number of arable land areas, but these areas are also abandoned due to low competitiveness with agricultural holdings located on the plain. The widespread (in the mountains, foothills and plains) decrease in the share of arable land is also associated with the development of former agricultural lands for housing construction and other objects. The use of remote sensing data makes it possible to assess the transformation of natural landscapes and changes in land use types. In general, natural landscape zones that fit into four generalized groups (foothills, low mountains, middle mountains and high mountains) are subject to multidirectional trends, the correct accounting of which requires the use of modern methods of geographic information modelling and verification in the field.
Winter Mountain Slopes Skied, Named, and Recognized: A Case Study of Freeriding in Hakuba, Japan
Nao Yoshizawa
Abstract/Description
Freeriding, which involves skiing outside designated ski areas, is gaining popularity worldwide. Previous research on freeriding has primarily focused on motivational factors and risk management. However, little attention has been given to the human-mountain relationship. This study examines how mountain slopes were skied, locally named, and widely recognized from a human geographical perspective, using the case of Hakuba, Japan. We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative approach applied historical geography methods, using semi-structured interviews with key individuals to illustrate how freeriding has been practiced and how the slopes have been named. The quantitative approach involved a web questionnaire survey conducted in 2024 (N=188) to assess general backcountry skiers’ recognition and usage of the slopes.
Until around the 1990s, freeriding was mostly limited to broad ridges leading to mountain summits, following hiking trails in spring. However, after the 1990s, freeriding areas shifted towards steep north-facing slopes and valley bottoms, where human activity had been absent for years. In the early stages of this shift, a pioneering skier—now President of the Hakuba Mountain Guide Association—began naming the slopes he skied. As a result, 27 slopes on the north- and east-facing aspects were given distinct names. Over time, these names gradually became widely recognized among local skiers. When Freeride World Tour competitions were held in Hakuba in 2017, the tourism office officially adopted these names to designate the slopes. The questionnaire survey revealed that recognition and usage rates varied by slope, with steeper slopes tending to have lower recognition and usage rates than others.
This study illustrates how the practice of skiing mediates the relationship between people and mountain landscapes, transforming previously unused natural spaces on mountain slopes into cultural places.
Utilization of Different Sources for Drinking Water Scarcity Situation in the South-eastern Mountainous Region of Bangladesh
Md. Azahar Hossain
Abstract/Description
The South-Eastern hilly regions of Bangladesh possess ample opportunities to study on the environmental geology and natural resources. Water in one of them. Unfortunately water scarcity often is observed during the dry period. The only suitable drinking water remains at the stream which is locally termed as “Chara”. Stream water is a surfacial source of water for domestic and cultivation in small scale. A few streams (chara) having perennial flowing water that can be used for safe drinking water. Some streams have a small annual discharge for the large size of their drainage area. During winter season streams remain dry and local people use reservoir tanks for daily consumption. At the bottom of few hills, some cave is observed as a source of drinking water. The caves are used as a preservation of water during the dry season. Water disperse onto the fine to medium sand through the springs and remain stagnant at the bottom of the hills. People dig some vertical holes to prepare these caves. The geological formation of the bedrock of the hills is sandier towards the north in Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts, allowing water to easily percolate down into the suitable aquifer system and thereby transmitting flow to the springs which are dependent upon groundwater in the dry season in the study areas. The native hilly people use that water for household and drinking purposes. Apart from the natural sources, different national institutions and NGO have installed tube-wells for obtaining safe drinking water.
Unravelling the Science-Policy Interaction: Role of Communication in Mitigating Catastrophic Hazards across Hindu Kush Himalayas
Shreya Sinni
Abstract/Description
The Hindu-Kush Himalaya (HKH), the world’s highest and most fragile alpine ecosystem highlighted for its physiological and social diversity, is experiencing increasing threats from catastrophic events such as landslides, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and seismic activity. This study concentrated on the complicated nature of science-policy interaction and underlined the essential function of effective communication in reducing these potential hazards. We study how scientific results can be translated into effective policy and then propagated to varied stakeholders within the HKH region through a range of disciplines. To improve catastrophe resilience, the study adopts a comprehensive framework that combines scientific understanding, policy design, and methods for communication. We identify obstacles in existing science-policy communication channels and propose innovative approaches to bridge gaps using case studies and empirical analysis. Our research emphasizes the importance of developing a comprehensive awareness of the region’s social, economic, and cultural characteristics in order to build methods of communication that resonate with local populations and decision-makers. The key findings of the study emphasize the importance of open and accessible communication channels that allow scientists, policymakers, and vulnerable individuals to exchange knowledge. We look at how developing technologies like remote sensing and GIS tools might help improve hazard assessment accuracy and early warning systems. In addition, the paper investigates the problem of combining scientific precision with the need for clear, understandable communication in order to create successful risk communication. The study adds to the existing debate in the HKH region about disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. By unravelling the complexities of the science-policy interface and emphasizing the integral role of communication, this study provides practical recommendations for policymakers, scientists, and communication professionals to collaboratively address and mitigate the escalating risks posed by catastrophic hazards in the vulnerable HKH region. Finally, the proposed framework aims to foster resilience, empower local communities, and educate evidence-based decision-making.
Evaluating Phenological trends of difference vegetation types in response to climate change over the Eastern Himalayan in India
Rebika Devi Ahanthem
Abstract/Description
Phenology is the study of periodically recurring patterns of growth and development of plants and animal behavior during the year. Vegetation phenology is the study of recurring patterns of plant growth and development, for example, the time of (a) budburst, (b) plant flowering, (c) leaf green up, and (d) senescence. The present study employed a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) based Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) dataset to track vegetation phenological trends in response to climate change activity over the Eastern Himalayan in India during 2000–2024. The vegetation phenological parameters such as Start of Season (SOS), End of Season (EOS), and Length of Season (LOS) will be calculated from the vegetation Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). The overall study will be conducted on the cloud-based Google Earth engine platform. The present study investigates the effect of temperature, and precipitation on the start of the season (SOS) and end of the season (EOS), in major vegetation of the study area and their long-term trends. The study can provide definite evidence for global climate change and the natural environment. Phenology is an aspect of biodiversity conservation, and studying patterns and their influencing factors can help achieve the goals of SDG 15. It will report on adaptation strategies and best practices for mitigating the impact of climate change on Himalayan vegetation.
Assessing Aridity Changes in the Cold Desert Ecosystem of Western Himalaya in Warming Climate
Pankaj Kumar
Abstract/Description
West Himalayan cold deserts Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Ladakh are highly vulnerable to the changes that result from rise in temperatures globally. The high-altitude arid areas have limited precipitation and extreme temperature making them more sensitive to any variations in dryness. Therefore, understanding how aridity has changed over time in these regions will help assess the effects of climate change and formulate suitable conservation measures. A drought index, Aridity Index (AI), is computed as a ratio of annual precipitation (P) over potential evapotranspiration (PET). This study analyses trends in aridity seen in Indian cold deserts since 1901 till 2022 using AI. Data for this research was obtained from CRU TS v4.08 which is a dataset containing detailed high resolution monthly climatic information. The study area was classified into different climatic zones based on their AI values then looking at each season: pre-monsoon season, monsoon season, post-monsoon season, winter season and agricultural seasons. Analysis indicates an expressively decreasing the intensity of aridity within cold deserts, thereby revealing how areas located in the north eastern part of these regions are moving towards hyper-arid condition. Seasonal variations were recorded, during which winter season showed the most substantial decrease in aridity as a result of western disturbances’ influence. On the other hand, analysing trends indicates that there is an overall decreasing dryness pattern as evidenced by a positive slope on the AI trend line signifying decreased dryness during this particular period of observation. In the rain shadow zone of the western Himalayas, the cold desert regions are finely adapted to low precipitation due to their unique topography. Increasing precipitation in these areas could lead to several negative consequences, such as soil erosion and the destabilization of fragile landscapes, which can result in landslides.Furthermore, an increase in precipitation can disrupt the delicate balance of local ecosystems, leading to changes in species composition and potential loss of biodiversity. Local communities may face challenges related to infrastructure damage, altered agricultural practices, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. To avoid these consequences and guarantee conservation
Devagya Raman
Pain, Dr Anindya
Abstract/Description
Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls are gaining popularity in different parts of the world. These walls have demonstrated tremendous potential in supporting the rapid infrastructure development occurring in our country. This technology is highly versatile and is used for constructing highway approach roads, railway bridges, and airport runways in challenging terrains. MSE walls are generally designed using a 2D plane strain approach. However, recent observations indicate that these structures are extensively used in undulating terrains, where the 2D plane strain assumption is invalid—such as at turning corners of roads in hilly regions. Few studies have attempted to quantify the additional reinforcement requirements for these corners. Recent failures of reinforced earth structures, such as those at Yeager Airport (USA) and Sikkim Airport (India), highlight the need for improved design considerations. The geosynthetic-reinforced structure at Sikkim Airport exhibited extensive distress, primarily due to improper drainage design. Another contributing factor was the presence of a highly fractured phyllite rock mass at the base of this extremely high retaining wall. Similarly, the catastrophic failure of a 73 m high reinforced soil slope at Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, USA, was analyzed by VandenBerge et al. (2021), who concluded that improper engineering judgment and local stress concentrations were the primary causes of failure. For infrastructure expansion in tough hilly terrains, integrating airways and highways while minimizing environmental impact is crucial. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies highlight the importance of using locally available materials, as MSE wall design parameters generally allow for draining backfill material. However, contractors often opt for locally available soil, which may be highly cohesive. To ensure safety, researchers tend to adopt high factors of safety (FOS). In the present research, numerical modeling using Plaxis 3D will be employed to study corner stress development in MSE walls—an aspect that remains hidden in 2D limit equilibrium method (LEM) software such as Rocscience Slide. A numerical analysis of 26 cross-sections of MSE walls was conducted for a RESA project in the hilly terrains of Northeast India (Pakyong Sikkim).
Overcoming disciplinary barriers in glacier studies: integration of methodologies and scientific cooperation
Christian Torres
Arigony-Neto, Jorge; Bozkurt, Deniz; Loarte, Edwin; Soruco, Alvaro; Favier, Vincent; Bolibar, Jordi; Rabatel, Antoine; Medina, Katy; Alejo, Miluska; Bravo, Claudio; Jaña, Ricardo
Abstract/Description
Glaciers in mountain regions are crucial components of the hydrological cycle, influencing water availability and playing a key role in sustaining both ecosystems and human societies. Their long-term evolution and current changes are of paramount importance due to their impact on water regulation, biodiversity, and climate change adaptation. However, challenges persist in data integration and methodological standardization, exacerbated by the remote location of many glaciers, as well as technological and computational constraints that hinder effective monitoring and simulation of glaciological processes at a regional scale.
To address these challenges, the Tropical to Polar Glacier Mass Balance Reconstructions and Their Relationship with Climate Variability (TROPIPOLAR-GLASCLIM) project was launched. This initiative tackles the complexities of glacier mass balance modeling in both mountain and polar environments by integrating regional climate models, machine learning (ML), and field observations to reconstruct glacier changes from the tropics to Antarctica. This comprehensive approach enhances our understanding of climate forcing effects at various scales and their impact on the cryosphere, ultimately providing more reliable strategies for resource management in mountain regions.
In the context of the successful Glaciology and Climatology Workshop in Huaraz, Peru (October 7 to 12, 2024), which trained 45 students and early-career researchers from across South America in techniques and models for surface mass balance (SMB) studies in the Andes, we tested the CryoCloud platform. This platform provides access to computational resources and mitigates technical barriers related to model environment configuration. By facilitating cloud-based processing, CryoCloud enables the application of resource-intensive models, such as regional energy balance simulations and ML-driven SMB reconstructions, making advanced modeling techniques more accessible to the glaciological community.
In this presentation, we highlight the first major results obtained using CryoCloud, emphasizing the need to strengthen cross-disciplinary collaborations—particularly between atmospheric scientists, hydrologists, and glaciologists—to optimize data use and advance research networks.
Properties and behavior of additively manufactured polymer objects in alpine environments
Bernarda Keßler
Brockschmidt, Sophia; Schafferer, Martin; Mandl, Bernhard; Schmiedinger, Thomas
Abstract/Description
BACKGROUND
Materials and components that are used in alpine regions are exposed to extreme environmental conditions such as sub-zero temperatures and high humidity. These factors influence the mechanical properties of the materials and can significantly impair their long-term use.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this work is to investigate the mechanical properties and behavior of additively manufactured polymer objects in different temperature ranges. Based on the knowledge gained, it should be possible to select materials that are suitable for long-term use under difficult conditions.
METHODS
The present work focusses on the investigation of three materials: acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA), polylactide (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate, glycol-modified (PET-G). Standardized test specimens were produced under reproducible conditions using additive manufacturing. Some of the samples were stored in demineralized water at a constant 20°C for 168 hours (1 week). All samples were then subjected to tensile testing at -17°C, 0°C and +21°C.
RESULTS
It was found that the water absorption for the materials analyzed differed greatly in some cases, with PET-G showing the highest water absorption. With decreasing temperatures, a tendency towards increasing tensile strength was observed. The evaluation of the modulus of elasticity at different temperatures showed only minor changes. Differences were mainly found in comparison to the values given in the data sheets, with PET-G also showing the greatest changes here.
CONCLUSION
Additive manufacturing offers a wide range of possibilities for designing housings, brackets and connecting elements. By selecting suitable materials, resource-saving production can also be realized.
Two key statements that can be made are
– Low temperatures (-17°C) have no negative influence on tensile strength.
– The choice of material should depend on the requirements, i.e. ASA should be chosen for structurally stressed components (e.g. brackets for weather stations) and PLA for the housing (due to the lower water absorption).
The Interreg Alpine Space WATERWISE project: Co-designing sustainable management solutions for resilient Alpine headwaters
Odile De La Ruë Du Can
Tolotti, Monica; Taberlet, Florent; Trouiller, Raphaël; Venus, Terese; Noack, Markus; Pöll, Helmut; Rman, Nina; Hartmann, Gerald; Capelli, Sergio; Fioletti, Matteo; Arnoux, Marie; Roques, Clément
Abstract/Description
Climate change and human pressures are increasingly impacting mountain headwaters, the main sources of freshwater in the Alpine Space. Large alterations in water availability and quality pose significant challenges to Alpine communities and have profound implications on the ecosystem services on which they depend. The project WATERWISE aims to leverage recent advances in modelling techniques tailored to assess the vulnerability of headwaters to climate and land-use changes, and to make them accessible to local water and land managers. Through collaboration between scientists, communities and protected area managers, an innovative digital toolbox will be co-designed and tested in eight pilot sites located in six Alpine countries. This toolbox, accessible via a user-friendly web-platform, will facilitate the collection, analysis and visualization of in-situ climatic and ecohydrological data, while also enabling headwaters vulnerability assessments. he project will provide local stakeholders with the necessary scientific basis for co-designing robust and participatory management strategies, thereby enhancing the resilience of mountain water resources, ecosystems and communities, in line with Alpine Space Special Objective 1.1(Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience, taking into account ecosystem- based approaches) and the EUSALP cross-cutting priority Joint Water Management Transition. Once validated, the toolbox will be implemented across a network of complementary sites covering the diversity of headwaters and challenges across the Alps. End-users will be trained to operate and update the toolbox via the web-platform, thus ensuring its continued relevance and value beyond the end of the project. The results of the project WATERWISE will raise awareness among Alpine communities about the vulnerability of headwaters ecosystem services, in combination to educational materials, creative storytelling and public outreach events. WATERWISE also aims at strengthening the dialogue between scientific experts and policymakers and at stimulating the joint development of transnational solutions to secure water resources in the Alpine region.
The Use of Mountain Areas for Nature Education Within The Perspective of Sustainable Development
Emine Aybuke Yayla
KARADAG, Arife
Abstract/Description
Mountain areas are economically, socially and culturally important geographical units with unique natural resources, where living creatures survive. Today, problems such as the lack of a legal definition of mountain areas, unconsidered economic activities and uncontrolled settlements affect the protection of natural resources in mountain areas and the sustainable development process of these areas. In this context, it is becoming increasingly important to inform and raise the awareness of communities living in mountain areas about the natural environment they live in, sustainable alternatives in economic activities and cultural values that need to be protected in the development process. The research will use fieldwork and semi-structured interviews to identify the needs of a mountain area for sustainable development and the potential of nature education. Based on the data obtained, a nature education model will be developed and applied training will be carried out. As a result of the data obtained after this process, it is aimed to evaluate the effects of nature education in mountainous areas on the sustainable development of the area. This evaluation is important for the sustainable development of mountain areas in terms of raising the awareness of the local population, carrying out nature education for mountain communities and emphasising the need for this to meet the objectives of the development plans to be drawn up.
The data obtained from the fieldwork and semi-structured interviews conducted in the research will be SWOT analysed and the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of nature education for development in mountainous areas will be revealed. The nature education model created from these results will be implemented in the research area as an applied training. During the training, a pre-test/post-test application will be made for the participants. The data will be analysed using SPSS software to measure the effectiveness of nature education in improving the awareness of mountain communities. The results of the research will be shared at the conference and the use of a mountain area for nature education in the context of sustainable development will be evaluated.
Gloria Coatti
Pezzotti, Dario; Sala, Stefano; Giorgi, Annamaria; Vizzzarri, Matteo
Abstract/Description
Mountains cover 30% of the land area and are home to 17% of the EU’s population, making them vital to both people and ecosystems but are particularly vulnerable to climate change (CC) and despite this they often lack adequate adaptation strategies due to gaps in policy, uptake, and coherence. Due to this, the Horizon Europe MountResilience project aims to enhance the climate adaptation capacity of European mountain regions, strengthening resilience in the Alpine biogeographical area focusing on 10 key regions across nine EU countries, with six pilot regions developing and testing transformative adaptation solutions—integrating technological, social, and nature-based innovations. At the core of the methodology designed to achieve this objective is a holistic approach based on stakeholder engagement within the quadruple helix framework. This ensures the active involvement of key change agents across three levels—local, regional, and national—representing the four main sectors driving transformation: government, academia, industry, and community. To structure this engagement effectively, the project conducted an analysis using a matrix of influence and interest, identifying the most relevant entities within each sector and level. Those with the highest influence and interest were designated as key stakeholders and became members of the Local Councils. These are informal working groups established to facilitate communication, coordination, and concrete action in an organized manner, acting as intermediary bodies between project partners and decision-making actors, ensuring that the project has a tangible impact on real-world challenges. Their role is crucial in bridging research and practice, preventing the project’s findings from remaining mere scientific contributions without practical application. Through this mechanism, MountResilience fosters real change, ensuring that adaptation strategies are not only developed but also effectively implemented on the ground. Through regional quadruple-helix partnerships, the project will leverage open innovation, participatory decision-making, and stakeholder engagement to mobilize key communities. Four additional “replicator” regions will adapt and implement these solutions, ensuring broader impact and improved adaptive capacity across European mountain landscapes.
Glacier fleas (Collembola) biodiversity and distribution as bioindicators of glacial ecosystems, also through “glacial” Citizen Science
Barbara Valle
Frati, Francesco; Gobbi, Mauro; Caccianiga, Marco
Abstract/Description
Springtails are edaphic arthropods particularly linked to glacial habitat and to cold biomes in general; they are the only group, among Alpine arthropods, including cryophilic ice-dwelling species, i.e. adapted to survive only in direct contact to the glacial ice: the so called “glacier fleas”. Springtails are key components of glacier food webs, and their evolutionary history is strictly linked to the glacial history. Glacier fleas represent an important portion of biodiversity at risk of disappearing with the ongoing climate change and subsequent glacier disappearance. Despite their relevance, springtail diversity and distribution have been few considered until now and, due to the lack of information, their diversity is underestimated hindering conservation efforts. The first comprehensive description of ice-dwelling springtails of European Alps and Apennines through integrative taxonomy approach was presented (morphological identification supported by the use of two mitochondrial gene, cox1 and 16s). The intense sampling activity was supported also by the contributions of non-expert sampler (because of the easy sampling), like alpinist, that implemented the field activity. Five species new for science were identified and described on the Alps, together with the two already known species. The evidence for two further new species to be described was also reported, with the first occurrence of a genus for the Alpine chain. Their current distribution suggests the presence of past refugia in the massifs characterized by higher glaciation that should be considered the hub of future conservation project of glacial biodiversity. On the other, on the peripheral areas, microendemic species other isolated refugia, particularly threatened. The study highlighted their biodiversity, ecological and biogeographic interest, together with the conservation concern in the context of the present warming cycle. Still a great work should be done for describing this threatened biodiversity. In addition, the opportunity to involve non-expert samplers increase the possibility to use glacier fleas as bioindicators and is currently object of an experimental citizen science project that involves alpine guides and organization that work on glaciers.
Empowering Indigenous Peoples as Agents of Conservation – Exploring the Substantive and Enabling Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the Western Ghats, Kerala
Liji Kareyapath
Vijayan, Dhanya; Sam, Anu Susan; Miroslava, Bavorava
Abstract/Description
Indigenous peoples are globally recognised as agents of sustainability, as their unique knowledge, lifestyles, and skills provide practical solutions to many environmental issues faced worldwide. Several international agreements including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight the importance of Indigenous peoples’ rights and emphasise the importance of Indigenous peoples’ participation as key to achieving the SDGs’ ambitions. While many countries worldwide have endorsed Indigenous rights and created policies to support them, challenges in implementation persist globally. Similarly, enabling Indigenous rights in co-management or participatory approaches in conservation efforts related to forest/environmental management and climate change adaptation/mitigation also shows nominal improvement. Studies equate the success of such a co-management / participatory programme with the rights that are enabled to the Indigenous peoples and the power that is shared with them in terms of decision-making. In this context, the present study analyses the substantive and enabling rights of the Kurichya community in the Kannavam protected forest of the Western Ghats, India, in relation to forest management policies and the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The study reveals the impartial and incomplete implementation of the FRA in the settlements, which in turn affects important substantive rights such as land rights and access rights. Although Indigenous people were involved in forest management, absolute decision-making authority and power-sharing were found to be an issue in the settlements, especially where the forest management programme did not produce the desired results. Our study therefore highlights the importance of ensuring the fundamental rights and active participation of indigenous communities in empowering indigenous communities and achieving the goals of participatory forest management and policies.
Do protected areas contribute in preventing land use conversions inside them? A case study in Xishuangbanna, Sothern China.
Chaya Sarathchandra
Abstract/Description
In order to satisfy the needs of increasing human population, the world’s forested areas are declining in a rapid rate. And the scientists all over the world are introducing new strategies and methods to protect the existing forest. So it’s a crucial timely concern to evaluate whether these efforts are successful in the conservation agenda. Xishuangbanna is 0.2 % of total land of China but harbouring > 25% of China’s biodiversity, is now threatened with monoculture rubber plantations and other land use conversions replacing lowland rainforest and shifting cultivation practices. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness Protected Areas (PAs) which are specifically designed for species and forest conservation. We measured the success of PAs in preventing expansion of rubber and other non-conservation land uses within their boundaries. We used matching methods to minimize the bias of PAs location and other factors influencing PAs establishment and to compare land use conversion rates within PAs zones and with outside PAs. By 2010, Xishuangbanna had designated an area of 3455.52 km2 (~ 18%) as PAs while rubber (22%) showed an expansion rate of 153.4 km2 y-1 and approximately 16% of PAs were deforested by 2010 with an annual rate of 6.8 km2yr-1 and if this rate continues assuming that the rate is constant, within next 40 years another 10% of PAs land will be deforested but because drivers of deforestation continuously change and accelerate rather than decelerate Xishuangbanna’s PAs might lose more forest than we predicted in this analysis. Therefore it should be a timely concern to review or to strengthen current land sparing policies, rules and regulations.
Manel Niell
Benisty, Hannah
Abstract/Description
The PyriSentinel project (pyrisentinel.eu) focuses on studying the microorganisms of high mountain lakes in the Pyrenees using advanced long-read DNA sequencing techniques. Approximately 300 lakes have been examined, each characterized by geographical isolation, extreme environmental conditions, and climatic variability, which contribute to their remarkable microbial diversity. Characterizing these planktonic communities is essential for understanding ecosystem productivity, as they play a key role in nutrient cycling, water purification, and interactions with macroorganisms, both at trophic levels and through their pathogenic potential. The lakes have been characterized by describing physico-chemical features and correlating those data with the microbial biodiversity. Biomonitoring serves as a crucial tool for assessing the health of these sentinel lakes. The project, involving experts from France, Spain, and Andorra, fosters international collaboration, consolidating knowledge and coordinating efforts while implementing innovative techniques for microbial sampling and analysis. PyriSentinel provides a comprehensive insight into the genetic diversity of aquatic microorganisms in the Pyrenees. By contributing to global microbiome characterization efforts, the project supports the development of effective monitoring strategies for these unique ecosystems, ensuring their conservation and sustainable management in the face of environmental change.
Between Tradition and Change – social structures and settlement patterns in the Highland of Albania
Eltjana Shkreli
Abstract/Description
Nikc, an upland settlement in the Cem Valley of High Albania, is one of the last regions in Europe where the tribal system remained intact until the rise of communism in 1944, which transformed the community’s traditional lifestyle. The Kelmend tribe, deeply rooted in this region’s isolation, developed a unique cultural identity based on livestock breeding and, to a lesser extent, farming. The tribe’s social structure was reflected in its hamlets, which were organized around family units within broader kinship networks. These settlements served as both physical spaces and social structures, with the extended family or “brotherhood” central to resource management, decision-making, and the preservation of cultural practices. The design of the hamlets, with self-sufficient homes and agricultural spaces, was influenced by the harsh natural environment and the tribe’s dependence on ecological stewardship passed down through generations. This research explores the relationship between the Kelmend tribe’s lifestyle and its settlements, utilizing building archaeology and oral histories to investigate the evolution of settlement patterns and cultural traditions. The study emphasizes the symbiotic connection between the people, their land, and their resources, offering insights into how these remote hamlets both sustained and reflected the tribe’s cultural identity over time.
Bukurie Ozuni
Abstract/Description
The protection of mountain and rural areas is a fundamental principle strongly enshrined in the Italian Constitution, particularly in Articles 44, 32 and 117. Specifically, Article 44 promotes special measures for mountain areas, recognising the need to rebalance territories. Article 32, on the other hand, guarantees health as a fundamental right of the individual and collective interest, requiring the State to guarantee access to health care even in disadvantaged areas. Furthermore, Article 117 delegates responsibility to regions over healthcare, and not only, allowing for policies designed to address the uncommon issues of inner areas. In addition to the constitutional provisions, the national legal framework includes several laws that promote territorial development and the maintenance of essential services. Law 97/1994 on mountains introduces key measures to support the socio-economic development of mountain areas, while Law 158/2017 on small municipalities aims to reduce depopulation and improve essential services. Similarly Legislative Decree 267/2000 regulates the functions of local authorities, thus promoting effective governance tools for the management of public services. Concerning health care, the protection of public health in mountain and rural areas remains a critical issue. In this regard, several national initiatives provide key solutions. In particular, the National Plan for Chronic Diseases, Ministerial Decree 77/2022 and the development of telemedicine, financed by the PNRR – Mission 6 Health, play an important role in improving access to health services. Digital healthcare and telemedicine offer innovative solutions to overcome geographical barriers, safeguarding continuity of care, remote patient monitoring and specialist medical consultations in areas with limited healthcare facilities. Despite this detailed framework, challenges remain, depopulation, limited access to essential services, etc. Therefore, to effectively revitalise mountain and rural areas, the current legislative framework needs to be modernised and improved. This requires the adoption of more flexible governance models, increased investment in health infrastructure, digitisation and telemedicine. Ultimately, a comprehensive and forward-looking approach is needed to ensure equal access to opportunities and services, while embracing digital innovations that can fill existing gaps in public health and service delivery.
Perceptions and uses of invasive wattles (Acacia mearnsii and Acacia dealbata) in rural mountain communities of the eastern Free State, South Africa.
Sphindile Dlamini
le Roux, Aliza; Steenhuisen, Sandy-Lynn; Martin, Grant
Abstract/Description
When invasive plants invade vulnerable grasslands, it is important to ascertain how both natural ecological and human-driven processes can either facilitate or hamper the spread of the plants. The eastern Free State, located within one of the last extensive grassland biomes in the world, is dominated by people dependent on agriculture to sustain their livelihoods. This region is known to host invasive plants like the black (Acacia mearnsii) and silver (Acacia dealbata) wattles, which benefit local livelihoods in other parts of the country. Possibly, people in this region may have also recognised the benefits as well as threats posed by invasive wattles. However, the social dimensions of wattle dispersal in this mountain grassland have not been studied, and we do not know how local rural communities respond to perceived benefits or suffer from the presence of these invasive trees. It also remains unclear how rural communities can increase or decrease the spread of invasive wattles. Hence, we investigated the rural mountain community perceptions and uses of wattle trees to understand the potential influence on the spread of the black and silver wattles in the eastern Free State region. To achieve this, we conducted interviews with seven focus groups of stakeholders that included local residents in Qwaqwa and Harrismith, and managers of two protected areas (Golden Gate Highlands National Park and the Harrismith Botanical Gardens) in the eastern Free State. The focus groups involved ten to fifteen participants who were recruited through Purposive and Snowball sampling. The interviews involved open-ended questions, categorised into knowledge, attitude, mapping, and solutions regarding the invasive wattles in the region. We used a thematic analysis to generate themes based on the responses from the groups. Thereafter, we overlayed the community participatory maps using ArcGIS. Our results included themes that highlighted the benefits (uses), challenges (Socioeconomic impacts), current wattle invaded areas, predictions of future wattle invasion, and the existing indigenous strategies for wattle control in the eastern Free State. We advocate the importance of community perceptions and knowledge as a starting point for the effective management of invasive wattles in the region.
Echoes from the Alps to the Rockies: The Story of Swiss Guides in the Canadian Mountain History- Focusing on Abbot Pass Hut
Hossein Rasaei
Abstract/Description
Edelweiss; not only is a famous endemic flower in the European Alps, but for centuries it has been a cultural symbol to alpine local communities, a pride of a mountaineering heritage in the Alps. Far from away in another continent, Edelweiss Village in Golden British Colombia has been home to Swiss mountain guides who reside in this golden destination in the heart of the Western Canadian Mountains. Last October 2024, many scholars and mountain enthusiasts gathered in Golden BC to celebrate the 125 anniversary of the Swiss Guides in Canada. Participating in this event made me conduct a historical and archival investigation of the Swiss guides’ legacy in the mountaineering history in Canada. To narrow down the research dinged into the story of Abbot Pass Hut, an iconic mountain hut that was built in 1922 by Swiss guides sponsored by The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). In addition to analyzing the written archives based on the published stories in the Canadian Alpine Journal (CAJ), this study also scrutinized the visual historical photographs stored in The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. The findings in a documentary style indicate that for centuries the hut has been a vital alpine shelter for climbing parties and expeditions. During the 1920s to 1950s, by taking advantage of the hut, many first ascents were made on Mt Victoria, Mt Lefroy, and Mt Huber by Swiss guides. Due to its socio-cultural importance in the Canadian mountaineering heritage, the hut was designated a national historic site in 1992. However, in 2022, after 100 years, the hut was dismantled due to geological erosion and climate change. In addition to the physical removal of the hut, its written and visual narratives were also buried in the Whyte Museum. In this study, we rejuvenate those stories to acknowledge the legacy of Swiss guides who not only revolutionized the mountaineering style in Canada but also built many socio-cultural connections in the Canadian mountaineering history.
Gendered Knowledge and Practices in Regenerative Agriculture: Insights from Andean-Amazonian Transition Ecosystems
Aymara Victoria Llanque Zonta
Munoz, Marcela; Rodriguez, Tatiana; Wittmer, Heidi
Abstract/Description
This contribution examines the deployment of knowledge and practices in regenerative agriculture from a gender perspective in Andean and Andean-Amazonian transition ecosystems in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This approach makes visible often-overlooked contributions within food systems and value chains; that can be understood as concrete possibilities for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), extending beyond economic value frameworks toward an integrated approach centered on the reproduction of life. This perspective includes reducing climate risk in Latin America and enabling more equitable transformations. Using qualitative content analysis, this study aims to contribute to theoretical and methodological reflections on gender perspectives in the literature by integrating life reproduction and care economy approaches within food systems. Additionally, the research synthesizes scientific and technical findings on women’s contributions to these systems. Based on our findings, we will provide comprehensive insights for the Futuring Landscapes program on addressing gender within food value chains. This includes concrete examples of the complex relationships between gender and the territories where agrobiodiversity-based food is produced, processed, marketed, and consumed.
Sustainable Synergy and Grounded Imaginaries: A Case Study of Dhaji Diwari Method in Himachal Pradesh
Kirti Sharma
Abstract/Description
This paper refocuses on the integration of contemporary engineering advancement with ancestral building techniques namely the Dhajji Diwari method a native practice of the Himalayan region. To delve into the study intrinsically the case of “North” a sustainable living community and research center in Naggar, Himachal Pradesh is employed. To understand this dynamic reciprocal formation of community and environment the concept of grounded imaginaries is operated through which the community becomes a proactive agent of change. North’s sustainable housing solutions blend the traditional techniques of Dhajji Dewari and Kath-Kuni, proposing environmentally conscious options. Dhajji Dewari’s “patchwork quilt wall” construction, utilizing local materials like Deodar/Kali wood and slate, echoes the alternative temporality and materiality to talk about ecological footprints and resilience to earthquakes, particularly in disaster-prone areas. Rather than imposing external solutions that may not suit local contexts, communities leverage their strengths and resources to innovate. This involves adapting technology to local conditions or revitalizing traditional practices with a modern twist. This visionary approach by “North” exemplifies the integration of low-impact structures, the promotion of indigenous craftsmanship, and permaculture, addressing several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With such a critical lens this paper tries to capture how grounded imaginaries encourage innovation that operates within local constraints where the agency of the community becomes indispensable. Grounded imaginaries push us to think about how, when, and why solutions should be place-rooted and context-specific. Thus, the question on what forms of traditional knowledge be systematically incorporated into contemporary practices? How can these practices be adapted and applied to other regions with varying contextual factors? become critically important. Moreover, this breakdown contributes to the academic literature on glocalization and what the Dhajji Diwari method orients us to think about the reciprocity of environment, community, and culture.
Building Climate-Resilient Livelihoods and Sustainable Development: Action Research for Local Empowerment in Central Himalayan (Uttarakhand) Region through an Ecosystem Approach
Chandi Prasad
Abstract/Description
The Central Himalayan Region (CHR) of Uttarakhand, India, is a repository of rich biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and unique cultural heritage. However, the region faces critical challenges due to climate change, unsustainable development practices, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. This research explores the integration of climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods through an ecosystem-based approach that prioritizes local engagement and resources, encapsulated in the mantra “Vocal for Local.” Using participatory action research (PAR) methodologies, this study identifies the critical intersections between ecological health, climate adaptation, and livelihood security. Community-driven initiatives such as agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, and renewable energy solutions were implemented and evaluated over a three-year period (2020–2023). The findings demonstrate that combining traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with modern sustainable practices significantly enhances adaptive capacity while ensuring economic viability. Strategies such as promoting indigenous crop varieties, revitalizing local water conservation systems, and establishing women-led microenterprises emerged as effective pathways for resilience. The study underscores the importance of ecosystem services in sustaining livelihoods and mitigating climate impacts, highlighting the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental systems. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for decentralized governance, capacity building, and financial mechanisms that empower local communities. This integrated model of climate resilience and sustainable development provides actionable insights for scaling up region-specific interventions in other mountain ecosystems. Objectives • To assess the vulnerabilities of local communities to climate change. • To promote sustainable livelihoods through community-driven initiatives. • To enhance ecosystem resilience by integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific practices. • To evaluate the role of local economies and “Vocal for Local” in achieving sustainable development.
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains: Spatial Distribution, Applications, and Early Climate trends
Zandile Mncube
Clark, Vincent; Hansen, Melissa
Abstract/Description
Developing countries have faced many challenges when it comes to acquiring timely and accurate weather data. This is mainly due to sparse weather observation networks found in the continent. In response to this, the Appalachian State University (ASU) partnered with the University of the Free State (UFS) in the Mountain-to-Mountain project funded by the United State Embassy to create means to alleviate such issues. This project included installation of five Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) over the past three years at the UFS QwaQwa campus and the northern Maloti-Drakensberg mountains. These weather stations are the first of their unique characteristic in the geographic location with one of them being the only one in the alpine zone in Southern Africa. The main aim of this study is to introduce and detail the AWS and their advantages to the research world. The study will analyse the spatial distribution of these five AWS, outlining their geographic positioning and altitudinal range, source and evaluate possible partnerships and data dissemination methods with affected stakeholders and identify applications of the weather data from the stations. The study will do this based on the reports on available records of the climate indices such as precipitation trends, temperature variability and other extreme weather patterns observed in the mountains. The availability of the ASU-UFS AWS network offers great advantages that can assist in providing accurate local forecasting data and improve weather prediction accuracy. This calls for studies in mountainous regions to fully utilize the datasets offered from this network as this.
Jamie Macmanaway
Abstract/Description
Anthropogenic climate change is driving rapid deglaciation in many mountain environments. This has implications for water security, sea level rise, and geohazards such as landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). In addition to posing hazards to human populations, such geohazards may also be important in controlling landscape evolution in regions transitioning from glacial to post glacial conditions. Nevertheless, this remains poorly understood. Analysis of a high resolution digital elevation dataset (ArcticDEM) is undertaken in order to better constrain rates of landscape evolution since the last glacial maximum (LGM) in the area surrounding the Greenland Ice Sheet. Metrics such as surface roughness, valley width, and valley depth are extracted and compared with an existing dataset of paleo ice sheet extent in order to determine whether a topographic signature exists for emerging post glacial landscapes. A comparison is also undertaken with reference to a mature post glacial landscape (the Scottish Highlands) in order to better understand the potential future evolution of such landscapes.
Renata Berta Saumell
Abstract/Description
This research investigates how embodied intra-actions, material agency, and other-than-human entanglements reshape our understanding of site
engagement in dynamic landscapes. Rooted in architecture, landscape studies, artistic and material research, the study challenges conventional site
analysis methodologies—often extractive and static—by proposing an approach that is performative, relational, and responsive to the temporal and
material flux of the environment. Drawing from feminist, ecological, and indigenous epistemologies, it argues that sites are not passive backdrops but
active participants in design processes.
Situating on the shifting ecologies of two mountain areas ( Italian Alps and the Andes), this research develops an interdisciplinary framework that
integrates situated performances, technological mediations, and material experimentation to foster a design practice of care. Mountainous landscapes
undergo continuous transformation—glaciers recede, sediments shift, plant ecologies evolve—yet architectural and design methodologies often fail to
account for these dynamic conditions. By engaging with these sites through performative and material intra-actions, the study proposes new ways of
relating to landscapes that embrace uncertainty, reciprocity, and embodied knowledge.
This research contributes to transdisciplinary discussions on design ethics, ecological attunement, and the role of materials in shaping spatial
narratives. It asserts that care in design is not only an ethical imperative but a performative, embodied practice that redefines how we interact and
evolve with rapidly changing environments. Ultimately, it expands discourse on site-specific methodologies, offering new pathways for sustainable,
contextually responsive, and grounded design practices.
Wolfgang Gurgiser
Jeelani, Gh
Abstract/Description
Himalayan cryospheric waters are a vital freshwater source for billions of people living in upstream and downstream regions, thereby playing a crucial role in sustaining the economic stability of the region. However, these critical water resources face significant threats from climate change, potentially disrupting the region’s economic stability. In this study, we used stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) to investigate the isotopic evolution of cryospheric water and identify the primary sources of streamflow in snow and glacier dominated high-altitude catchments within the Indus River Basin. Newly deposited snow displayed a notable altitude effect, while surface snow exhibited a reverse altitude effect due to evaporation and sublimation processes. Post-depositional changes in snow led to significant isotopic homogenization of δ¹⁸O and δ²H, with isotopic exchange between firn and percolating meltwater resulting in greater enrichment of heavy isotopes in successive snow layers. Bayesian stable isotope mixing model in R indicated that snowmelt contributed significantly to streamflow in the Indus (63±1.2%) and Shyok (58±1.7%) catchments, while glacier melt dominated contributions in the Nubra (64±2.3%) and Suru (60±2.7%) catchments. Groundwater (baseflow) was found to play a critical role in sustaining river and stream flows during winter and spring, ensuring local water availability. The higher slope and intercept of the snow and glacier melt lines compared to global and local meteoric water lines indicated minimal evaporation. The findings suggest that the region’s spatially diverse, rugged topography and microclimates largely dictate the varying contributions of different sources to river flow. With a warming climate causing decreased solid precipitation, continuous glacier mass loss, and earlier snowmelt, the perennial flow of rivers is likely to be inconsistent, posing significant risks to the region’s economic and political stability.
Alex Cairns-Doran
Abstract/Description
The focus is on the concept of ‘Style’ and its role in the formation of identity and belonging as they relate to broader mountain use, alongside how such concepts create a stratum of meaning and importance amongst various mountain users, from the casual, to the professional. This is especially important in our digital age, where social media has become an essential, yet often maligned tool for sharing mountain experiences, with certain ‘styles’ coming to represent best practice, whilst others are positioned as wasteful, destructive, and contributing the our changing environment.
‘Style’ is a concept that informs how people dress, with a mixture of practical, and sartorial, alongside how they choose to interact with mountain spaces (what sport, or activity they pursue). But it is also philosophical in nature, informing how these spaces are viewed, and conceptualised, while underlining various aspects of best practice, such as the stewardship mountain regions, and representing areas of conflict, or tensions between one group and another.
This topic has emerged from a long-standing interest in understanding how landscape functions as a repository of social and cultural history, belonging, identity, and experience. Specifically, how identity can be integrally wrapped up in the pursuit of activities that take one from the comforts of home into a potentially difficult and dangerous environment. And how the digital space has informed and shaped out understandings of mountainous regions, and how we should, or could be interacting with them.
Bruno Neininger
Lezuo, Tobia
Abstract/Description
OSTIV (Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol à Voile) is a network of scientists and organisations involved in disciplines that are important for gliding, paragliding, and ballooning. The Meteorological Panel aims to collect and distribute knowledge and best practices for tailored weather forecasts. One of the achievements was the handbook on “Weather Forecasting for Soaring Flight” of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It’s revision including making the content available online is one of the tasks the panel is currently working on.
The scientific results of the past 75 years of activity are archived. New publications deal with topics such as Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of thermals. The focus of the Met Panel’s research is mesoscale meteorology and especially convection and lee-waves for optimising the harvest of energy from the atmosphere, necessary for gliding and paragliding. As many paragliders and gliders prefer to fly in the mountains, convection above complex terrain of special interest for OSTIV.
The work of the MET-Panel has as well implications for the design of aircraft and for the flight safety including education and training.
What makes OSTIV’s research exceptional is that it can benefit from the experience and measurements gained during gliding activities. We therefore invite scientists working on relevant atmospheric processes, or those who are passionate about flight themselves, to join the MET Panel network, widening the interdisciplinary exchange.
Climate Change Adaptation Types in Alpine Winter Tourism Destinations: Differentiating Incremental, Transformative, Autonomous and Planned Adaptions in Balderschwang, Germany
Pauline Metzinger
Corradini, Philipp
Abstract/Description
In the context of climate change adaptation, alpine winter tourism destinations are confronted with multiple, sometimes conflicting, types of adaptation measures, aiming first and foremost at reducing vulnerability to climate change. Measures’ scopes range from incremental adjustments to transformative turnarounds of existing pathways. Adaptation can be initiated and managed by different actors, including individual self-organised responses, private sector adaptations, community-led initiatives, and government-imposed measures. In this study, we apply two conceptual frameworks from climate change adaptation research to the case of Balderschwang, an alpine winter destination in Bavaria, Germany. The aim is to examine both its recent adaptation development as well as the adaptation visions of the residents. In addition to an in-depth assessment of the case study area, we base our analysis on qualitative interviews conducted with 12 residents, being both community members and tourism stakeholders. Our results show that different adaptation types, both in terms of the depth of intervention and the actors introducing and managing the adaptation, may coexist, potentially enabling or constraining one another, or even evolve into each other. Being aware of these adaptation types can help entangling adaptation barriers and identifying potential linkages that could help aligning adaptation efforts across the different actors, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful climate change adaptation. We conclude that the collaborative approach, a mix of autonomous and planned adaptation, offers a promising way to streamline local adaptation needs with governmental support, increasing the possibility of successful adaptation.
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