"Biodiversity Change in Mountain Protected Areas"

in cooperation with the ForumAlpinum 2024

Primula turkestanica / Kirgistan / Tian Shan - Ak Shirak Massif at 4000m / Copyright: Harald Pauli

Mountains are home to an exceptionally rich biodiversity, including many endemic species. As a consequence, about one third of all terrestrial protected areas, such as national parks or biosphere reserves, are located in mountain regions. Yet the biodiversity in these areas is under threat: climate change, land use change, pollution, over-exploitation and invasive alien species are all driving biodiversity change, affecting natural and cultural landscapes.

The contraction of bioclimatic belts along the elevation gradient results in a large number of habitat types. This is further enhanced by complex topography, favouring a great diversity of microclimates with different thermal and moisture conditions, and hence an extraordinarily high biodiversity.

Climate change in mountains is driving species to migrate to higher altitudes. Changes in the thermal conditions, resulting in reduced snowpack periods and water availability, amplify the consequences of climate change for high mountain biota. Cold areas of alpine habitats are generally small in extent, making species adapted to them especially prone to extinction processes.

Climate change is also affecting the appearance of high mountains. The melting of glaciers, for example, is creating new glacial lakes and glacier forelands. Glacier melt and seasonal changes in precipitation patterns alter the hydrology and temperature regime of alpine streams, affecting the biodiversity, structure and functioning of mountain river ecosystems.

With this special issue, we would like to highlight biodiversity changes in mountain protected areas. Additionally, we would like to present adaptation and mitigation strategies implemented by park managements as well as monitoring strategies.

If you are interested in contributing to this issue, please contact Valerie Braun (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

- Editors: Valerie Braun, Günter Köck, Margreth Keiler (eco.mont, ÖAW-IGF, UIBK), Harald Pauli (Guest Editor; University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, ÖAW-IGF)

- Publication date: March 2025

- Deadline for the submission of articles: 31.03.2024

- For more information on articles in eco.mont, go to guidelines for articles