Mountain regions are fragile ecosystems and an important source of water, energy and biological diversity. Furthermore they are a source of such key resources as minerals, forest and agricultural products, as well as being landscapes for tourism and recreation. As a major ecosystem representing the complex and interrelated ecology of our planet, mountain environments are essential to the survival of the global ecosystem. Occupying about one-fifth of the world's land surface area, mountains provide a direct life-support base for about one-tenth of humankind as well as goods and services to more than half the world's population.
