Mountain Research and Development

It’s #TestimonialTuesday! Here’s why editorial board member @aohaller.bsky.social values MRD. Help us keep this unique not-for-profit platform open, innovative, and accessible for all. Donate today! 👉🏻 donate.raisenow.io/vbvhv #MountainResearch #SustainableMountainDevelopment #OpenPublishing

“Participatory visioning can act as a replicable inclusive tool to move communities from being merely heard to cocreating situated, governable futures,” say Theo Lynn and colleagues. In their new article, they present a structured facilitation tool: doi.org/10.1659/mrd.... #MountainsMatter

Creative tourism offers a regenerative pathway for marginalized mountainous areas, provided it is locally driven and supported by place-based policies and context-sensitive strategies. Read how in the new article by Fiona Eva Bakas and coauthors: doi.org/10.1659/mrd.... #MountainsMatter

“This transnational history of Alpine hydroelectricity from the mid-19th century to the present is masterfully realized in a highly accessible book of manageable proportions.” Read Jörg Balsiger’s review of “Mountain Battery” by Marc Landry: doi.org/10.1659/mrd.... @stanfordpress.bsky.social

For 45 years, MRD has turned mountain research into real-world impact. Help us keep this unique not-for-profit platform open, innovative, and accessible for all. Donate today! t.ly/yrkWx #MountainResearch #SustainableMountainDevelopment #OpenPublishing

We are saddened to share the news of the passing of Hans Hurni, our editor-in-chief from 2000 to 2016, on 27 September 2026. Hans was a great inspiration and mentor to countless colleagues and students around the world. Read our short obituary: t.ly/z5uc0

“LiDAR enables efficient monitoring of remote mountain forests, but improving the accuracy of spaceborne biomass and canopy estimates is essential for sustainable forest management,” say Smita Das and coauthors. Read their study from the Annapurna region to find out more: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

“This is not an academic book; it is a book that narrates human–mountain relationships through a mosaic of images and narratives,” writes Bibiana Vilá in her review of “Nosotros, los Andes” (We, the #Andes), edited by Rebecca Jarman and Victoria Vargas-Downing. doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Digital divides persist in Austria, despite its target of full gigabit coverage by 2030. A new study by Erika Quendler and Florian Stender @bab.gv.at shows that mountainous terrain is a key barrier to farm broadband access in the Austrian Alps and requires policy attention. doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Older adults in mountain villages age in place through resilience—but they face compound risks from infrastructure gaps, demographic decline, and climate change. Policy support is needed. Read Merve Altundal Öncü’s qualitative study from Türkiye’s Eastern Black Sea Mountains: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Emine Keleş Özgenç and coauthors analyzed past and future land use dynamics in the Yıldız Mountains Basin, Türkiye. They show that forest ecosystems are likely to expand in the future, and highlight the opportunities this offers for ecological restoration. Read their article: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Ivo Baselt and coauthors link knowledge on postfire and frozen soil runoff dynamics, proposing an interdisciplinary research agenda to improve prediction, #riskreduction, and sustainable management of compound hydro-geomorphic #hazards in Europe’s mountains. Read the article: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

A new issue is complete! Read about links between rural outmigration and land use change in Argentina, participatory digital mapping and local learning in Nepal, a tool to support land use decisions in Ethiopia, adaptive strategies of small ski areas in Japan, and more. bioone.org/toc/mred/46/2

In a MountainViews article, Ankit Mishra and Samanta Sahu point to a blind spot in Hindu Kush Himalaya transboundary landscape conservation: It overlooks micro-endemic species. The authors call for fine-resolution monitoring to complement the transboundary landscape approach: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Small-scale participatory digital hazard mapping interventions can foster local learning and strengthen community resilience in remote, resource-restricted mountain communities. Rongkun Liu and coauthors say how, based on a study in Nepal: doi.org/10.1659/mrd.... @icimod.bsky.social #MountainsMatter

#CallforPapers on drought dynamics and futures in mountain regions! We seek systematic assessments of initiatives addressing drought in mountains, empirical research on drought processes and impacts, and agendas for policy, development, or research: t.ly/AgJrB ⌛1 week left to send notice of intent!

Are you working on issues of drought in mountains? Check out our call for papers. You have just over two weeks left to send your notice of intent! 👇🏼

The positions of 1–2 additional Editors-in-Chief are still open! Read the full call: t.ly/4gxD7 We look forward to receiving qualified expressions of interest! #AcademicSky #MountainsMatter

In a MountainPlatform article, Paola Fontanella Pisa and coauthors of #GLOMOS present the systemic, participatory research approach the program takes to foster resilience and reduce risks in mountain social-ecological-technological systems. Read the article and find out more: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

“Research on mountain landraces boosts local economies, strengthens agrobiodiversity, and promotes sustainable development and food security,” say Alex Alberto and coauthors. Read their article on how @unimont.bsky.social works to safeguard mountain plant agrobiodiversity: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

#CallforPapers on drought dynamics and futures in mountain regions! We seek systematic assessments of initiatives addressing drought in mountains, empirical research on drought processes and impacts, and agendas for policy, development, or research: t.ly/AgJrB Send your notice of intent by 15 June!

“The book vividly describes the landscape based on 25 years of interdisciplinary monitoring and research": Read Harald Pauli’s review of “Alpine Ökosysteme im Schweizerischen Nationalpark: Die Seenplatte Macun” edited by Stefanie Gubler and Christopher T. Robinson: doi.org/10.1659/mrd.... @scnat.ch

“These books are a tribute to all the researchers,” writes Davnah Urbach in her review of “A Scientific Bibliography of the Far Northern Drakensberg” and “A Scientific Bibliography of the Waterberg, Makgabeng Plateau, Blouberg and Soutpansberg” by Rodney Moffett. Read on: bioone.org/doi/10.1659/...

How is migration in northwest Argentina’s High Monte affecting land use? Ana L. Dip Yordanoff, @sofiananni.bsky.social, and Sofía Marinaro Fuentes show that valley areas with suitable farmland attract people, while highland areas face outmigration and a decline in livestock: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

“The strongest feeling I had after reading the book was inspiration,” writes Mark Carey in his review of “The Voices of Glaciers” by Ignacio Palomo, Sofía Lana, Antoine Rabatel, and Oliver Dangles. Read the full review: doi.org/10.1659/mrd.... @ird-fr.bsky.social @unesco.bsky.social #MountainsMatter

A new article by Menale Wondie and coauthors describes how they applied the analytic hierarchy process method to evaluate land management scenarios together with farmers, agricultural experts, and local decision-makers in the Ethiopian Highlands, enabling informed decisions: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

How can small, municipally run ski areas with aging infrastructure survive in still snow-rich Hokkaido, Japan? A study by Shumpei Kurosawa analyzes their adaptive strategies and showcases successful local initiatives while calling for supportive policies. Read his article: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

We’re excited to welcome topic editors Biraj Adhikari, Sunetra Ghatak, H. Ricardo Grau, and Denis Samyn to the editorial team! In the next 3 years, they will oversee the peer review and revision of submissions within their respective topics and promote MRD among their networks. Read more: t.ly/llqcS

How do small tourism destinations in the European Alps translate climate adaptation strategies into concrete measures to sustain their economies and safeguard their mountain resources? Philipp Corradini and Agnese Moroni provide an analysis and identify promising pathways: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

During a research exchange in Kenya, Theresa Tribaldos and coauthors explored how future research could better harness synergies between food system sustainability and ecosystem restoration. They found including young people in farming and resource governance is crucial: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

MRD’s International Editorial Board has started a new term. The editors thank all previous members for their highly valued service and warmly welcome several new members. We’re excited to work with such a diverse group of renowned experts from around the world! See who they are: t.ly/NtVQq

Discover top and trending #EnvironmentalScience research, featuring articles from the Journal of Vector Ecology @4sove.bsky.social, Mountain Research and Development @mrdjournal.bsky.social, and Northwest Science @nwscience.bsky.social. Free to read through March 31: bio-one.co/4jTWRiK

In a new study in the Catalan Pyrenees, Joan Rabassa-Juvanteny and Bernat Claramunt-López show how accounting for #naturalcapital in mountain resorts can strengthen sustainability, resilience, and responsible tourism management under climate change: doi.org/10.1659/mrd.... @creaf.cat @uab.cat

“Poorly planned tourism and infrastructure development heighten climate risks in Kinnaur, Western Himalaya. Locally led, equitable, and culturally and ecologically grounded sustainable approaches are needed,” says Aghaghia Rahimzadeh. Read her ethnographic study: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Congratulations to M. Pütz, A. Schindelegger, C. Meyer, and H. Job on making it to BioOne's Top & Trending collection!👇🏻 Their article discusses the role of spatial planning in energy transitions in the European Alps, based on debates in 🇦🇹, 🇩🇪, and 🇨🇭, and proposes a development and policy agenda.

How do summer tourists experience forest ecosystem services under climate change? Laura Barraclough and Katharina Pöll examined this in Austria’s Stubai valley. They provide insights that can guide management of ecosystem services and tourist offerings. Read their article: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

A new article by Jean Miczka and colleagues analyzes how mountain huts in the western European Alps are being adapted to climate change, what the challenges are, and how adaptation could be improved. Recommendations include ensuring long-term coordination. Find out more: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Mountain guides in the Canadian Rockies face growing climate risks. Katherine Hanly and Graham McDowell show that their adaptive capacity is shaped by social factors and institutional barriers. They point to ways of strengthening guides’ resilience and livelihoods. Read more: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Another issue is complete! Articles examine changes in yak herding in Nepal, challenges in implementing science–society interaction policies in mountain biosphere reserves worldwide, and topography’s role in socioeconomic development in the European Alps. Read the issue: bioone.org/toc/mred/45/4

In a study of science–society interactions in 18 mountain biosphere reserves across 4 continents, A. Mitrofanenko and coauthors find that the reserves hold great potential to link science and society in advancing sustainability—but tapping it requires consistent support. doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

A new article by M. Lambracht and T. Chilla of @fau.de examines the interplay between topography and socioeconomic factors in the European Alps. It shows that development in mountain regions is never determined by topography alone; other factors are also key. Get the details: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

“This book is an ethnographic delight,” writes Peter Phillimore in his review of “Anima: A Wild Pastoral” by Kapka Kassabova. The book describes the lives of transhumant pastoralists and their animals in Bulgaria’s Pirin mountains. Read the review: doi.org/10.1659/mrd.... @jonathancape.bsky.social

In a new article, the #Afromontane Research Unit, University of the Free State, South Africa, presents the #Mozambique Mountain Initiative, a collaborative platform that brings together practitioners involved in the sustainable management of Mozambique’s mountain ecosystems: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....