Global Change Research in Mountain Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, the International Hydrological Programme (IHP), and The Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) joined forces in 2003 to assess and monitor the impact of global change in mountain biosphere reserves. This led to the “Global Change in Mountain Regions” (GLOCHAMORE) project to develop a worldwide strategy, in the short term, for the detection and identification of global change indicators, either bio-physical or socio-economic in nature that will lead to adaptation by mountain communities to better respond to global changes in the longer term. Over twenty biosphere reserves representing diverse mountain ecosystems in most of the world’s mountain regions actively contributed in the development of the research strategy.

The forthcoming biennium will see the implementation of the research strategy, which aims to guide managers of mountain biosphere reserves and scientists in planning and implementing global change research in order to devise appropriate adaptation strategies in the light of global climate change. It will take advantage of the current infrastructure and ongoing research and sustainable management activities in UNESCO mountain biosphere reserves and similarly managed areas representing the world's major mountain ranges, in both industrialized and developing countries. This worldwide network of monitoring sites will facilitate a harmonized comparative approach involving local mountain communities.

The strategy is a response to the concerns echoed by the theme for this year’s International Mountain Day (11 December 2007), “Facing Change: Climate Change in Mountain Areas”. Climate change is a reality today, and some of the best evidence comes from mountain areas: mountain glaciers in nearly all parts of the world have been retreating for decades and, in some cases, have disappeared. This year’s theme presents an opportunity to increase awareness that global climate change is a reality now, that mountains are particularly affected, and that this has important implications for humankind beyond mountain areas.

Related websites
:: UNESCO-MAB website on mountains
:: UNESCO-IHP website on global changes and water resources
:: Mountain Research Initiative (MRI)
:: GLOCHAMORE website
:: IHP-Latin America and the Caribbean programme on mountain-related water issues
:: International Mountain Day

Related documents
:: GLOCHAMORE Research Strategy [PDF format - 473 KB]
:: UN General Assembly Report – Sustainable Mountain Development 2007 [PDF format - 94 KB]

• Source:UNESCO/SC
• 07-12-2007