Global change research in mountain biosphere reserves

A workshop was organized as a joint endeavour of the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) comprising the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP), and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS), as well as UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and the International Hydrological Programme (IHP).

The specific objectives of the workshop were

• To review the state of global change research (natural, social, cultural, economic and political sciences) in a range of mountain Biosphere Reserves (MBRs) that could be used as pilot study areas for implementing the activities defined by the MRI (cf. Becker & Bugmann 2001).
• To refine and prioritize the MRI activities to an operational level for application in MBRs.
• To identify gaps in coverage and methodological problems with respect to Global Change research in MBRs.
• To provide guidelines for implementing integrated Global Change research in MBRs around the world, with a view towards general applicability in mountain regions.

In order for the meeting to be a success, it was essential that all participants became familiar with the Global Change research that is ongoing in the selected Biosphere Reserves. Therefore, a significant fraction of the workshop was devoted to presentations from MBR representatives.