Systematic observation of the social-ecological dimensions of mountain areas can help us understand the social, environmental, economic, and cultural dynamics and trends affecting mountain communities and ecosystems. This MRD Talk brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to learn from successful monitoring initiatives. We jointly explored how best to set up monitoring systems and share the information obtained in order to enable effective policies and action for sustainable futures in mountains. A recording of the event and key insights will be available here soon.
The first author of an article recently published in MRD presented her group’s review of social-ecological monitoring activities in the Andes, along with the resulting priorities for future research needed to effectively inform policy and practice. Two panelists shared their experience with specific regional monitoring systems—one concerned with forest fire detection and management in Nepal and the other with sustainable tourism development in Italy—and a fourth panelist presented a global initiative to enhance the accessibility and usability of data and information to support sustainable mountain development. The audience and the panel then discussed the panelists’ recommendations for effective monitoring systems and observatories and made suggestions for improvements. Key takeaways will be shared here soon, along with a full recording of the event.
Panelists
Julieta Carilla
Instituto de Ecología Regional, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Yerba Buena, Argentina
Julieta Carilla
Instituto de Ecología Regional, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Yerba Buena, Argentina
Julieta Carilla is a research scientist at the Instituto de Ecología Regional, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) in Yerba Buena, Argentina. She has a PhD in biological science. Her research focuses on Andean socio-ecosystem dynamics using long-term monitoring systems to understand their responses to climate and land use change, with a view to supporting sustainable development in the Andean region.
Birendra Bajracharya
SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya, International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal
Birendra Bajracharya
SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya, International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal
Birendra Bajracharya is the Chief of Party for the SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya initiative at ICIMOD with NASA and USAID. The initiative aims to develop Earth observation, monitoring, and visualization systems that integrate satellite and other geospatial data to improve scientific knowledge and decision-making. He holds an MSc in geoinformatics, an MBA, and a BE in civil engineering. He has been with ICIMOD since 1995, gaining substantial experience on spatial data infrastructure, decision support systems, and geospatial and remote sensing applications in relation to disasters, natural resources, biodiversity, and conservation planning and management.
Valentin Wallnöfer
Center for Advanced Studies, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
Valentin Wallnöfer
Center for Advanced Studies, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
Valentin Wallnöfer is a researcher at the Center for Advanced Studies of Eurac Research in Bolzano, Italy. He completed his master’s degree in geography, with a focus on economic and social geography, at the University of Vienna. His current research considers sustainable tourism and socio-ecological transformation. One project he is working on is the Sustainable Tourism Observatory of South Tyrol (STOST), which monitors the economic, environmental, and social impacts of tourism in the Italian province of South Tyrol and aims to contribute to a sustainable development of the region.
James Thornton
GEO Mountains, Mountain Research Initiative, Bern, Switzerland
James Thornton
GEO Mountains, Mountain Research Initiative, Bern, Switzerland
James Thornton is Senior Scientific Project Officer at the Mountain Research Initiative. He holds a PhD in hydrogeology and is currently responsible for the coordination and implementation of GEO Mountains, an Initiative of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) seeking to increase the discoverability, accessibility, and use of a wide range of data on mountainous regions to benefit human societies and ecosystems globally. He contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR6 Cross-Chapter Paper Mountains (2022), is a Topical Editor at the journal Earth System Science Data, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Moderators
Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel
Associate Editor, Mountain Research and Development | Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland
Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel
Associate Editor, Mountain Research and Development | Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland
Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel is a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Development and Environment of the University of Bern and Special Advisor to the Wyss Academy for Nature. She has 20 years of experience working in the field of sustainable development in Latin America, Eastern Africa, and the Mediterranean. She holds a PhD in Human Geography from the University of Bern and did a postdoc at World Agroforestry (ICRAF). She has also been active in the NGO sector, first as Executive Director and then Board Member of A Rocha Peru. She is President of the International Society of Ethnobiology and serves as a Trustee of the Global Diversity Foundation and A Rocha Portugal. She has been Associate Editor of Mountain Research and Development since 2016.
Resources
- Carilla J, Aráoz E, Osinaga Acosta O, Malizia A, Malizia M, Jimenez Y, Peralvo M, Garces A, Lasso G, Llambí LD. Long-term environmental and social monitoring in the Andes: State of the art, knowledge gaps, and priorities for an integrated agenda. Mountain Research and Development 43(2):A1-A9.
- Forest Fire Detection and Monitoring System in Nepal webpage
- Sustainable Tourism Observatory of South Tyrol webpage
- GEO Mountains website
