Mountain Research and Development Journal
Research station on the Merzbacher glade in the Tien Shan mountains, Kyrgyzstan. Scientists from all over the world come here every summer to study the movements of local glaciers, the meteorological situation in the region, and Lake Merzbacher, which drains completely every summer within just a few days, exposing icebergs. Photo by Ekaterina/stock.adobe.com

How can monitoring support action and policies for sustainable futures in mountains?

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

Julieta Carilla

Instituto de Ecología Regional, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Yerba Buena, Argentina

Birendra Bajracharya

Birendra Bajracharya

SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya, International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal

Valentin Wallnöfer

Valentin Wallnöfer

Center for Advanced Studies, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy

James Thornton

GEO Mountains, Mountain Research Initiative, Bern, Switzerland

Moderators

Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel

Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel

Associate Editor, Mountain Research and Development | Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland

Resources