A global assessment of mountain biodiversity: lead expert meeting

In June 2024, the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA) Program of the Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences started a first-of-its-kind global assessment of mountain biodiversity knowledge and trends. Building on the approach adopted by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the assessment brings together experts from around the world to evaluate the state of research on mountain biodiversity as well as assess trends in species based on data and literature. The goals of this efforts pertain to science, policy, investment, as well as advocacy. They include the detection, quantification, understanding, and prediction of the effects of global change on mountain species and ecosystems as well as the detection of data and research gaps (science), the contribution to ongoing biodiversity (IPBES) and climate change (IPCC) assessments (policy), the identification of investment and funding priorities (investment) and awareness raising in society and across generations (advocacy). This workshop convenes the lead corresponding experts as well as the assessment steering committee for a review of the work performed across taxonomic groups and world regions during the first project year. Specific objectives are to celebrate the achieved milestones, reflect on the challenges encountered, resolve methodological and organizational questions, and approve the final structure of the assessment report as well as the overall roadmap and timeline looking forward.