Scientists' warning of threats to mountains
Journal
Science of the Total Environment
Journal Volume
853
Date Issued
2022-12-20
Author(s)
Schmeller, Dirk S.
Urbach, Davnah
Bates, Kieran
Catalan, Jordi
Cogălniceanu, Dan
Fisher, Matthew C.
Friesen, Jan
Füreder, Leopold
Gaube, Veronika
Haver, Marilen
Jacobsen, Dean
Le Roux, Gael
Loyau, Adeline
Machate, Oliver
Mayer, Andreas
Palomo, Ignacio
Plutzar, Christoph
Sentenac, Hugo
Sommaruga, Ruben
Tiberti, Rocco
Ripple, William J.
Abstract
Mountains are an essential component of the global life-support system. They are characterized by a rugged, heterogenous landscape with rapidly changing environmental conditions providing myriad ecological niches over relatively small spatial scales. Although montane species are well adapted to life at extremes, they are highly vulnerable to human derived ecosystem threats. Here we build on the manifesto ‘World Scientists' Warning to Humanity’, issued by the Alliance of World Scientists, to outline the major threats to mountain ecosystems. We highlight climate change as the greatest threat to mountain ecosystems, which are more impacted than their lowland counterparts. We further discuss the cascade of “knock-on” effects of climate change such as increased UV radiation, altered hydrological cycles, and altered pollution profiles; highlighting the biological and socio-economic consequences. Finally, we present how intensified use of mountains leads to overexploitation and abstraction of water, driving changes in carbon stock, reducing biodiversity, and impacting ecosystem functioning. These perturbations can provide opportunities for invasive species, parasites and pathogens to colonize these fragile habitats, driving further changes and losses of micro- and macro-biodiversity, as well further impacting ecosystem services. Ultimately, imbalances in the normal functioning of mountain ecosystems will lead to changes in vital biological, biochemical, and chemical processes, critically reducing ecosystem health with widespread repercussions for animal and human wellbeing. Developing tools in species/habitat conservation and future restoration is therefore essential if we are to effectively mitigate against the declining health of mountains.
Subjects
Climate change | Environmental health | Policy | Pollution | Sustainable development goals
Other Subjects
Climate change; Conservation; Economic and social effects; Ecosystems; Environmental protection; Health; Health risks; Landforms; Pollution; Radiation effects; Sustainable development
Ecological niche; Environmental conditions; Environmental health; Hydrological cycles; Knock-on effect; Life supports; Mountain ecosystems; Spatial scale; Support systems; Sustainable development goal
climate change; conservation; environmental policy; environmental quality; mountain environment; pollution; restoration ecology; Sustainable Development Goal
biodiversity; climate change; ecological niche; ecosystem restoration; environmental health; environmental policy; environmental protection; human; hydrological model; invasive species; land use; mountain; nonhuman; parasite; pollution; Review; scientist; socioeconomics; threat; ultraviolet radiation; vegetation; wellbeing; animal; biodiversity; ecosystem
Publisher
ELSEVIER
Type
review article