Mountain Research and Development
The leading international scientific journal specifically devoted to sustainable development in the world’s mountains

Published by the International Mountain Society (IMS)

Mountain Research and Development Journal
Alpacas grazing a fenced Andean peatland—or bofedal—in Sajama National Park, Bolivia. Photo by Tom Perreault

Adaptive Livelihoods in Andean Pastoralism: Community-Based Institutions, Peatland Management, and Migration in Sajama National Park, Bolivia

By Tom Perreault
MountainResearch

This study suggests that community-based land tenure arrangements can support temporary labor migration among pastoralists by incentivizing migrants to return and keep animals in their home communities.

View of Huaraz and surroundings in the Peruvian Andes—one of the world’s many mountain regions facing unprecedented change. Photo by Wolfgang Gurgiser

Collaborative Research for Sustainable Mountain Futures—Special Issue from the International Mountain Conference 2025

VOL 46 | NO 4
Call for papers open

We invite papers emerging from recent research collaborations across different disciplines, experiences, and geographic and cultural perspectives that are slated for presentation at IMC2025.

Polylepis stakes are being collected for propagation in the communal nursery. Photo courtesy of The Mountain Institute

Restoration of Andean Forests Using a Socioecological Approach: A Case Study from the Aquia Mountain Community in Peru

By Tina Christmann et al
MountainDevelopment

Based on a document analysis and postproject interviews, the authors examine this model restoration project’s procedures and outcomes and pinpoint key success factors.

Olive trees in the terraced landscape of the High Atlas. Sustaining livelihoods and cultural identity, olive is the main cultural keystone species here. Photo by Tobias Plieninger

Farm Trees as Cultural Keystone Species: Bridging Biocultural Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Morocco High Atlas Mountains

By Chaima Mobarak et al
MountainResearch

Awareness of the cultural role of farm trees like olive, walnut, and almond can enhance biocultural conservation, stewardship of existing trees, and sustainable development in Mediterranean mountains.

Springs are essential sources of water for mountain communities in Nepal’s mid-hills. © Jitendra Raj Bajracharya/ICIMOD

Open Issue

VOL 44 | NO 4
November 2024

Benefits and costs of spring revival in Nepal, the Andean Social–Ecological Observatory Network, or Iranian herders’ livelihood strategies: read about these and other topics in this open issue.

Local communities are involved in the monitoring and revival of springs. © Sanjeev Bhuchar/ICIMOD

Spring Revival in the Mid-Hills of the Himalaya: A Socioeconomic Assessment Using Benefit–Cost Analysis

By Giacomo Butte et al
MountainResearch

Is spring revival a feasible solution to achieve water security in Nepal’s mid-hills? This study proposes a framework for analysis based on two case study sites.

Field trip to the intermontane valley of Tafí in Tucumán, Argentina, during the ROSA workshop in May 2023. Photo from IER database

ROSA: An Andean Network of Social-Ecological Observatories

By Julieta Carilla et al
MountainAgenda

This article presents the network’s origins, structure, objectives, and strategies, showing how it works to support sustainable development by integrating monitoring into adaptive management.

Focus Topics

Innovation Pathways to Sustainability in Mountains

VOL 45 | NO 3
Upcoming

How can innovation contribute to sustainability in mountains? We invite papers that assess innovation processes, examine innovation practices, or provide agendas for policy...

Latest Articles

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Jack D. Ives. Photo by Nadine Ives

Editorial

By Brigitte Portner et al

In this Editorial, the MRD team pays tribute to Jack D. Ives, cofounder of the International...

Editorial

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