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In La Moitié de la Gloire, Axel Mayenfisch's documentary about the 1952 Swiss expedition to Chomolungma (Mount Everest), André Roch recalls how the retreating climbers simply abandoned much of their gear, either leaving it where it was or "throwing it into holes [crevasses]." Roch's tale was by no means unusual, as mountaineers at that time gave little thought to what became of their waste. By the 1970s, however, climbers were becoming increasingly aware of their impact on the environment. The resulting change of attitude led many mountaineering organizations to take concrete steps to protect the mountains (e.g., cleanup campaigns) and to issue waste management guidelines for trips into the high mountains. The Union internationale des associations d'alpinisme 1982 Kathmandu Declaration—a charter of ten principles for achieving greater harmony with the mountain environment—was an important milestone in this process. Drawing on documents held in the extensive archives of the Union internationale des associations d'alpinisme, the current paper retraces the path that led to the Kathmandu Declaration and the process by which the environment became an important aspect of the aforementioned organization's work. It also examines the hypothesis that the organization has progressively adopted a conservationist stance toward protecting nature; its aim is to reconcile environmental protection and economic development (especially tourism). The history of the Kathmandu Declaration supports this hypothesis, as it shows how the notion of sustainable development, which emerged in the 1980s, came to dominate conceptions of mountain protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the issue of abandoned agricultural land (AAL) as a phenomenon whose containment is crucial due to its extent, the agro-ecological transition, and the development challenges faced by mountain communities. The research is organised on two levels: (a) the mountain region of Troodos, Cyprus, where the stance of local communities regarding the impacts of abandonment is investigated, and (b) representative communities where the findings from the diagnosis, with the contribution of spatial analysis, are used as a guide in planning the process of recovering AAL. At this scale, an interactive methodology is proposed that incorporates the spatial and production dimensions through a "zone for recovery". The paper results in a recovery process based on the correspondence between the differentiated agricultural land uses in mountains (intensive/extensive models, self-consumption, management, etc.) and the various user groups (existing and potential farmers, diaspora, etc.). This process indicates that, as long as there is a combined institutional intervention by communities, spatial planning, and local governance, integrating recovery into the local multifunctional production system leads to its differentiation and increased resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Accurate hiking time estimate is crucial for outdoor activity planning, especially in mountainous terrains. Traditional mountain signage and online platforms provide generalized hiking time recommendations, often lacking personalization. This study aims to evaluate the variability in hiking time estimates from different methods and assess the potential of a novel algorithm, MOVE, to enhance accuracy and safety. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 25 Italian loop trails selected via the Wikiloc platform, considering user-uploaded GPS data from at least 20 users per trail. Real-world hiking times were compared with estimations from Komoot, Outdooractive, mountain signage, and the MOVE algorithm, which incorporates individualized biological and trail characteristics. Results: Significant discrepancies were observed between actual hiking times and estimates from Komoot (ΔWK: −48.92 ± 57.16 min), Outdooractive (ΔWO: −69.13 ± 58.23 min), and mountain signage (ΔWS: −29.59 ± 59.90 min; all p < 0.001). In contrast, MOVE showed no statistically significant difference (ΔWM: −0.27 ± 65.72 min; p = 0.278), providing the most accurate predictions. Conclusions: Current hiking time estimation methods show substantial variability and inaccuracy, which may pose safety risks. MOVE demonstrated superior accuracy, offering personalized hiking time predictions based on user-specific data and trail characteristics. Integrating such advanced tools into outdoor activity planning could enhance safety and accessibility, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions. Further studies should explore integrating real-time health data to refine these tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable or green hotels, also known as eco-friendly lodging facilities within the hospitality industry, prioritize environmental and social responsibility in their daily operations. These establishments aim to minimize their ecological impact and create beneficial effects on local communities while providing guests with a pleasant and comfortable stay. This study aims to investigate customer preferences regarding eco-friendly services in hotels and to provide hotels with the most favorable strategies to meet these demands in mountainous tourism spots in Pakistan. This study employed a novel hybrid approach FUCOM-Fuzzy QFD. Both “WHATs” (green attributes) and “HOWs” (technical requirements/strategies) are gathered from the literature. The findings indicated that among the nine sustainability traits of hotels, consumers favored features associated with efficient energy and water management, as well as the use of environmentally sustainable products. They prefer to be provided with these attributes. An analysis of the house of quality (HOQ) showed that hoteliers should focus on “waste reuse and recycle,” “use of energy efficiency techniques and technologies,” and “use of recycled material” being the top three strategies assessed by experts during the design phase. This study provides a decision framework for hoteliers, policymakers, and the government to incorporate sustainable features in hotels focusing on mountain tourism in Pakistan. This research is one of its kind that explored the relationship between WHATs and HOWs and the correlation between HOWs regarding the hospitality industry in mountain tourism in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There existed a tradition of mimetic experimentation in the late nineteenth century, whereby morphologists sought to scale down sublime natural phenomena to tabletop devices in the laboratory. Experimenters constructed analogs of the aurora, attempting to replicate the colors and forms of the phenomenon with discharge tube experiments and electrical displays, which became popular spectacles at London's public galleries. This paper analyses a closely allied but different kind of imitation. Between 1872 and 1884, Professor Karl Selim Lemström (1838–1904) attempted to reproduce the aurora borealis in all of its complexity atop four mountains in northern Finland. Crucially, his "artificial aurora" was to materialize at the same scale as the original phenomenon and in its natural habitat in the polar atmosphere. With his experiment Lemström hoped to uncover the workings of the aurora and the electrical currents that he believed were always present within the atmosphere; his epistemological framework was one of learning by making. This paper sheds light on the broader problem of what it meant to authentically replicate a phenomenon that remained largely enigmatic, and, most importantly, how this replication could be verified. This prompts a discussion as to whether model experiments needed only to appear visually similar to the objects they purported to imitate, were required to preserve their form, or needed to be materially identical in order to the original to be identified as legitimate "reproductions" in the late nineteenth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Mountain ecosystems are hotspots of biodiversity due to their high variation in climate and habitats. Yet, above average rates of climate change and enhanced forest disturbance regimes alter local climatic conditions and vegetation structure, which should impact biodiversity. We here investigated the impact of vegetation and elevation as well as their interactions on bird communities to improve our ability to predict climate change effects on bird communities. Location: European Alps, Germany. Methods: We studied patterns and drivers of bird communities at 213 plots along gradients in vegetation density and elevation using autonomous sound recorders. Bird species were identified from soundscapes by Convolutional Neural Networks (BirdNET) and taxonomists. Results: Bird diversity and community metrics were moderately to strongly correlated for data based on either identification by BirdNET or taxonomists (Pearson's r =.47–.94), and ecological findings were overall similar for both datasets. Vegetation density 1–2 m and >2 m above ground strongly affected bird diversity and community composition and mediated effects of elevation. Community composition changed with elevation more strongly in habitats with low than high vegetation density >2 m. Species numbers decreased with elevation in habitats with low vegetation density 1–2 m and >2 m above ground, but increased in habitats with high vegetation density. Overall, functional and phylogenetic diversity increased with elevation indicating lower habitat filtering, but patterns were also mediated by vegetation density. Main Conclusions: Our results indicate that bird communities in the German Alps are determined by strong interactive effects of elevation and vegetation, underlining the importance to consider variation in vegetation in studies of biodiversity patterns along elevational gradients and under climate change. Combining remote sensing data and biodiversity monitoring based on autonomous sampling and AI‐based species identification opens new avenues for bird monitoring and research in remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-use change is a main threat to biodiversity due to its impact on habitats, especially for species that inhabit mountainous regions. In the face of this, an adequate management requires knowledge of species habitat requirements, but in Chile, few studies have analyzed these requirements in a vulnerable group like reptiles in anthropized environments. A situation relevant to this problem is the Andes of Chile, which are facing increasing levels of anthropization that could affect species such as Liolaemus nigroviridis, a lizard that inhabits areas where urbanization, skiing, livestock, and waste have been increasing. However, there is no available information on the impact of these activities on this species. To analyze the effect of anthropization on L. nigroviridis, a study of habitat use with anthropogenic and natural resources was carried out through the analysis of resource selection indices (in Farellones, central Chile). Our results show that L. nigroviridis is affected by constructions; above a threshold of 15% of built environment, the species is not present. However, small-scale livestock, waste, and roads showed no apparent effects on the species. We concluded that urbanization is one of the main threats to this lizard in Farellones, since it is a determining factor for its presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The sustainable development of mountain areas, which have fragile ecosystems, has increasingly attracted the attention of researchers and practitioners. Logistics systems are crucial in supporting these regions and addressing mountainous terrain's unique challenges. While many studies have examined aspects of mountain logistics, a comprehensive and systematic review of the field is still lacking. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper aims to fill the gap by systematically reviewing the existing literature on mountain logistics using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. Results/Conclusions: We identify four main research foci: design of logistics infrastructure or vector, optimization of logistics systems, safety in logistics systems, and impact of logistics systems on mountain communities. In addition to categorizing these themes, we conduct a detailed descriptive analysis of published studies in this domain. Our findings highlight significant research gaps, particularly in integrating digital technologies, sustainable mass transportation solutions, and logistics systems' socioeconomic and environmental impacts. We propose targeted directions for future research to advance sustainable logistics practices in mountain regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Jumping/falling from high structures is a common form of suicide. Mostly, these suicides occur on artificial structures. However, there are also natural formations which are used for committing suicide. It was the aim of this study to investigate the use of mountains and other natural rock formations for the means of suicide. Methods: The files of the investigations of mountain deaths from 2002 to 2016 commissioned by the public prosecutor’s office of the canton of Bern, Switzerland, or carried out by the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bern itself, were evaluated retrospectively regarding the existence of suicides within alpine environment. Results: 20 cases were analyzed concerning various parameters such as method, age, gender and mental diagnoses. A mountain suicide occurred with a ratio of 1 to 69. The gender difference was more pronounced with 80% being male victims. Discussion: Suicide is rare in the mountains. Jumping/falling from heights was the most common manner of suicide. Most of those affected were male and a significant proportion had a psychiatric diagnosis.

This article analyses an innovative place-sensitive training experience in pastoralism implemented in rural and mountainous Italian areas: the Young Shepherds School. Adopting a methodology based on learning-by-doing and an experiential teaching approach, the School offers its participants—essentially urban young people interested in living and working in rural contexts—an unprecedented learning opportunity and the possibility of setting out on a path towards the shepherding profession. At the same time, the involvement of local actors and the post-training pathway represent concrete steps towards the participants’ project ideas taking root in the area and the development of micro-enterprises in the field of pastoralism, aimed at personal income as well as environmental care.

Background: Arthritis of the diarthrodial zygapophysial joints, located in the posterior column of the spine, commonly known as facet joint arthritis (FJA) is a leading cause of back pain and related disability. In the literature, mainly the anatomy, innervation, diagnostic, and management part of FJA have been adequately published to date. Its etiology and association with various social and physical parameters remain underinvestigated. An insight into these associations can help develop a preventive strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted to evaluate its relationship with various purported causative sociophysical factors. A total of 210 participants who underwent computed tomography for nonorthopedic complaints and met the inclusion criteria were consecutively enrolled. The sociophysical profile information was gathered through a structured questionnaire. FJA was defined as at least one joint affected by facet joint disease (Grade ≥2). The data collected were checked, edited, coded, and analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 version. Results: FJA was found in 74.3% of the study population. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the odds of having FJA were 6 times more in the participants who spent 4 h or more picking fruits, and vegetables (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.80–20.057) and 3 times more in participants whose daily milk intake was

Aim: Global warming has highlighted the importance of understanding the role of thermal tolerance as a driver of species distributions, especially for ectotherms. Here we analyse interactions between latitude, elevation and arboreality as predictors of geographic patterns of thermal tolerance in ants. Location: The collected data are distributed globally. Methods: We first tested the effect of latitude, elevation and its interactive effect on ant CTmax and CTmin. Second, we tested whether CTmax and CTmin are phylogenetic clustering. Finally, we tested whether CTmax and CTmin can be explained by nesting microhabitat (ground vs. tree‐nesting species) and whether the probability of occurrence of tree‐nesting species along thermal gradients helps explain the global pattern in ant CTmax. Results: CTmax and CTmin displayed high and low phylogenetic signals respectively and therefore showed different responses to geographic gradients. Notably, we found that CTmax was higher in higher latitudes. This was explained by a lack of elevational turnover at high latitudes among tree‐nesting species, which are exposed to warmer microclimates and have higher CTmax compared with ground‐nesting species. CTmin decreased with elevation at low latitudes, but did not vary with elevation at higher latitudes. Main Conclusions: Our findings highlight the important influence of arboreality on the macroecology of thermal tolerance, substantially modifying traditional notions of variation along latitudinal and elevation gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain ecosystems play an important role globally as centers of biodiversity and in providing ecosystem services to lowland populations, but are influenced by multiple global change drivers such as climate change, nitrogen deposition, or altered disturbance regimes. As global change is accelerating and the consequences for humans and nature are intensifying, there is an increasing demand for understanding and predicting the impacts and implications of global change on mountain ecosystems. Manipulation experiments are one of the major tools for testing the causal impacts of global change and establishing a mechanistic understanding of how these changes may transform the global biota from single organisms to entire ecosystems. Over the past three decades, hundreds of such experiments have been conducted in mountainous regions worldwide. To strengthen the experimental evidence for the possible ecological consequences of global change, we systematically reviewed the literature on global change experiments in mountains. We first investigated the spread of manipulation experiments to test the effects of different global change drivers on key biological and ecological processes from the organism to the ecosystem level. We then examined and discussed the balance of evidence regarding the impact of these global change drivers on biological and ecological processes, and outlined the possible consequences for mountain ecosystems. Finally, we identified research gaps and proposed future directions for global change research in mountain environments. Among the major drivers, temperature was manipulated most frequently, generally showing consistent strong impacts between biological and ecosystem processes, functional groups, and habitat types. There is also strong evidence suggesting that changes in water and nutrient availability have a direct impact on the life history and functioning of mountain organisms. Despite these important findings, there are several gaps that require urgent attention. These include experiments testing adult trees in tropical and boreal regions, assessing animal responses and biotic interactions, and investigating aquatic environments and soil systems more extensively. A broader approach that integrates experimental data with field observations and relies on international collaboration through coordinated experiments could help address these gaps and provide a more consistent and robust picture of the impacts of global change on mountain ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract:Introduction: Jumping/falling from high structures is a common form of suicide. Mostly, these suicides occur on artificial structures. However, there are also natural formations which are used for committing suicide. It was the aim of this study to investigate the use of mountains and other natural rock formations for the means of suicide. Methods: The files of the investigations of mountain deaths from 2002 to 2016 commissioned by the public prosecutor's office of the canton of Bern, Switzerland, or carried out by the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bern itself, were evaluated retrospectively regarding the existence of suicides within alpine environment. Results: 20 cases were analyzed concerning various parameters such as method, age, gender and mental diagnoses. A mountain suicide occurred with a ratio of 1 to 69. The gender difference was more pronounced with 80% being male victims. Discussion: Suicide is rare in the mountains. Jumping/falling from heights was the most common manner of suicide. Most of those affected were male and a significant proportion had a psychiatric diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wine production and quality both strongly depend on suitable climatic conditions. Increasing the climate resilience of wine regions is therefore of critical importance but requires instruments to evaluate shifts in climatic conditions and growing suitability. This evaluation is particularly challenging in mountain viticultural areas due to their complex topoclimatic patterns, yet they offer the possibility to analyze climate change impacts and adaptation strategies across various climatic conditions and cultivated varieties. Here, we assessed historical and future bioclimatic conditions and identified effective adaptation strategies toward more sustainable and climate‐resilient wine production in the mountain winegrowing regions within South Tyrol in the Italian Alps. We found significant changes in climatic conditions under future scenarios, such as an increase in the Huglin index (HI) and cool night index (CNI) as well as a decreased dryness index (DI), causing an expansion of suitable areas for viticulture as well as a spread of unprecedented climatic conditions in traditional vineyards. Impacts and suitable adaptation options varied depending on climate type and grape variety, highlighting the need for targeted solutions that balance the need for high‐quality wine production with environmental protection and sustainability. Higher elevated areas over 1000 m a.s.l. will experience an increased suitability raising the need for restrictions regarding the expansion of vineyards to avoid degradation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity declines. In contrast, many traditional winegrowing areas will need to implement a combination of short‐ and long‐term adaptation measures to maintain traditional wine styles. Our findings provide a framework for the assessment of viticultural suitability and the formulation of appropriate adaptation strategies for the sustainable cultivation of wine grapes in a changing climate that applies to a variety of climates and grape varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the proposal for the use of towers solar (solar chimneys) in urban environments in order to take advantage of landfills, unpopulated or wild hills within or near cities, clearing landfills, artificial hills; considering that the solar tower can maintain the mechanical power of its wind turbine constant. To this end, a mathematical model has been developed to determine the collector area based on solar radiation and the mechanical power of the turbine. The present proposal has the potential that at a technical level there is the possibility of producing electrical energy, production of water intended to create/maintain green environments or for the population, hydrogen production, capture of atmospheric pollutants, measurement of air quality and elimination of cloud cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Compounding changes in climate and human activities stand to increase sediment input to rivers in many landscapes, including via discrete perturbations such as post‐fire debris flows. Because sediment supply is a dominant control on river morphology, understanding mountain river responses to sediment regime perturbations is critical to predicting and addressing downstream effects to infrastructure, water security and aquatic habitat. A growing body of literature explores the causes, likelihood, size and composition of post‐fire debris flows, but the channel response to these disturbances remains poorly studied. This study used repeat field surveys, time‐lapse photographs and pre‐ and post‐disturbance remote sensing datasets to document and analyse space‐ and time‐varying channel response to post‐fire debris flows along a steep mountain stream in the Upper Colorado River Basin, USA. Specifically, we evaluated channel morphology and bed composition changes, correlations between channel changes and valley and channel attributes, and the relative importance of spring snowmelt versus summer monsoon events. Several cross‐sectional channel change types were observed from lidar a month after post‐fire debris‐flow events, including channelized and braided incision into deposits, incision into the pre‐fire channel bed, bank erosion and no change. Channel changes were most correlated with pre‐fire channel width, valley width and unit stream power, and these relationships could be tested in other burned locations to evaluate their transferability. Repeat channel surveys before and after snowmelt indicate rapid recovery and channel narrowing following major sediment disturbances, although sediment deposits remained in the channel margins. Together, these results highlight the importance of field and remote sensing‐based channel surveys to improve understanding of, and potential to predict, mountain channel response to compounding climate disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grimm, Mirjam, Lucie Ziegler, Annina Seglias, Maamed Mademilov, Kamila Magdieva, Gulzada Mirzalieva, Aijan Taalaibekova, Simone Suter, Simon R. Schneider, Fiona Zoller, Vera Bissig, Lukas Reinhard, Meret Bauer, Julian Müller, Tanja L. Ulrich, Arcangelo F. Carta, Patrick R. Bader, Konstantinos Bitos, Aurelia E. Reiser, Benoit Champigneulle, Damira Ashyralieva, Philipp M. Scheiwiller, Silvia Ulrich, Talant M. Sooronbaev, Michael Furian, and Konrad E. Bloch. SARS-CoV-2 Transmission during High-Altitude Field Studies. High Alt Med Biol. 25:197–204, 2024. Background: Throughout the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, virus transmission during clinical research was of concern. Therefore, during high-altitude field studies performed in 2021, we took specific COVID-19 precautions and investigated the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: From May to September 2021, we performed studies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in healthy school-age children in Kyrgyzstan in high-altitude facilities at 3,100 m and 3,250 m and at 760 m. The various implemented COVID-19 safety measures included systematic SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing (RAT). Main outcomes were SARS-CoV-2-RAT-positive rate among participants and staff at initial presentation (prevalence) and SARS-CoV-2-RAT-positive conversion during and within 10 days after studies (incidence). Results: Among 338 participants and staff, SARS-CoV-2-RAT-positive prevalence was 15 (4.4%). During mean ± SD duration of individual study participation of 3.1 ± 1.0 day and within 10 days, RAT-positive conversion occurred in 1/237(0.4%) participants. Among staff working in studies for 31.5 ± 29.3 days, SARS-CoV-2-RAT-positive conversion was 11/101(10.9%). In all 338 individuals involved in the studies over the course of 15.6 weeks, the median SARS-CoV-2-RAT-positive incidence was 0.00%/week (quartiles 0.00; 0.64). Over the same period, the median background incidence among the total Kyrgyz population of 6,636 million was 0.06%/week (0.03; 0.11), p = 0.013 (Wilcoxon rank sum test). Conclusions: Taking precautions by implementing specific safety measures, SARS-CoV-2 transmission during clinical studies was very rare, and the SARS-CoV-2 incidence among participants and staff was lower than that in the general population during the same period. The results are reassuring and may help in decision-making on the conduct of clinical research in similar settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants, and they can absorb and transfer chemicals, which may cause significant effects on biota and risks to human health. State parks are natural areas highly influenced by seasonal tourist activities. This study investigated the distribution and characterization of MPs, including abundance, size, shape, and color, in seven Virginia State Parks within the James River Watershed (Douthat, Natural Bridge, Holliday Lake, James River, Powhatan, Pocahontas, and Chippokes Plantation State Parks). The MP concentration among the seven locations in the watershed had a significant difference (p < 0.05) and ranged from 0–26.5 particles/L with a mean of 8.33 ± 1.39 particles/L. The mountain region water bodies (Douthat and Natural Bridge) had the lowest MP concentration (< 4 particles/L), while the mainstream water bodies had a significantly higher MP concentration than other water bodies (10–20 particles/L) (p < 0.01). The size, shape, and color of MPs were also significantly different among all locations (p < 0.05). Faded and aged fragments with sizes below 1 mm were the most abundant, suggesting that terrestrial MPs were the most influencing source at most of the State Parks, and weathering effects have played a significant role in the fragmentation of plastics. In addition, a significantly positive relationship between MP concentration and the fraction of overnight guests was found (p < 0.0001). Our study indicated that State Parks and protected areas are polluted by MPs, which may pose potential harm to the surrounding environment, including both wildlife and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The large temporal and spatial changes of precipitation, especially in mountainous areas, have turned it into a controversial variable in climate models. Measuring precipitation (rain and snow) along with its distribution and changes is very important to improve our understanding of global water cycle and energy, water resources monitoring, hydrological modeling. Lack of reliable data is one of the most important challenes in rainfall analysis. Due to the significant temporal and spatial variability of precipitation in mountainous areas, accurate spatially distributed data is crucial for effective water resource assessment and management. However, many mountainous regions have limited rain gauge stations. Today, satellite products are commonly used to measure precipitation in these areas, but the variability among these products raises concerns about their accuracy in mountainous regions. Additionally, the quality of satellite products differs between various products and across different climatic regions, making it essential to thoroughly evaluate them before use. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the precipitation data of two satellite products (GPM, PERSIAN) and reanalysis data (ECMWF) in the estimation of precipitation in mountainous areas without stations in Lorestan province. Method This study utilized rainfall data from 24 synoptic and rain gauge stations across Lorestan province. Emphasis was placed on stations situated in or near mountainous regions. The selected stations were chosen based on their suitable spatial distribution and record lenth. The rainfall data spanned the faiod from 2015 to 2021 and included daily, monthly, and annual measurements. To evaluate satellite rainfall algorithms and estimate rainfall in regions with limited data, data from the GPM and PERSIAN satellites were employed, along with ECMWF reanalysis data. The PERSIAN rainfall algorithm is a remote sensing-based method that utilizes artificial neural networks. It calibrates infrared data with passive microwave estimates and converts longwave infrared images into rainfall estimates using a three-step process. The spatial resolution of this product is 0.25° x 0.25°, and it offers hourly, daily, and monthly temporal resolution. The PERSIAN rainfall algorithm data can be accessed from https://chrsdata.en.uci.edu. The GPM mission aims to provide continuous observations of Earth's precipitation. It employs the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) to observe both snow and rain. The final product, called IMERG, is generated through multiple runs of the algorithm for each observation time. Initial estimates are quickly provided, and subsequent estimates improve as more information becomes available. The spatial resolution of the GPM product is 1° x 1°, and it offers hourly, daily, and monthly temporal resolution. IMERG data can be obtained from https://gpm.nasa.gov/data. CMWF reanalysis data is derived from the combination of short-term simulations of numerical weather prediction models with ground-based observational data. These simulations are controlled with observational data, and the resulting reanalysis database provides global coverage from 1979 with a spatial resolution ranging from 0.125° x 0.125° to 3°. The temporal resolution of ECMWF reanalysis data is hourly, daily, and monthly. More information about ECMWF data can be found at https://www.ecmwf.int/ (Azizi, 2019). To evaluate the accuracy of the products, R-squared correlation (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), standard deviation (MAD), correlation coefficient (R), error deviation (MBE) and Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (NS) were used. Also, the probability of detection (POD), false alarm ratio (FAR), and critical success index (CSI) indices were used to validate the data. Results The results showed that none of the three products are suitable for estimating daily precipitation in mountainous areas. However, on a monthly scale, these products provide reasonable estimates. Among the three, the GPM satellite product demonstrated better accuracy on a monthly scale, based on error levels and the spatial distribution of estimated precipitation. On an annual scale, GPM also faformed best, as indicated by both statistical errors and the spatial patterns of average annual precipitation. According to the MBE index, on daily and monthly scales, the ECMWF product tended to overestimate precipitation, while the PERSIANN and GPM products underestimated it. On an annual scale, GPM and ECMWF products overestimated precipitation, whereas PERSIANN underestimated it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountains have a critical role in freshwater supply for downstream populations. As the climate changes, groundwater stored in mountains may help buffer the impacts to declining water resources caused by decreased snowpack and glacier recession. However, given the scarcity of groundwater observation wells in mountain regions, it remains unclear how mountain groundwater is being impacted by climate change across ecoregions. This study quantifies temporal trends in mountain groundwater levels and explores how various climatic, physiographic and anthropogenic factors affect these trends. We compiled data from 171 public groundwater observation wells within mountain regions across Canada and the United States, for which at least 20 years of monthly data is available. The Mann‐Kendall test for monotonic trend revealed that 54% of these wells have statistically significant temporal trends (p < 0.05) over the period of record, of which 69% were negative and therefore indicating overall declining groundwater storage. Wells in the western mountain ranges showed stronger trends (both positive and negative) than the eastern mountain ranges, and higher elevation wells showed fewer negative trends than the low elevation (<400 m asl) wells (p < 0.05). Correlation, Kruskal‐Wallis tests, stepwise multiple linear regression and random forest regression were used to identify factors controlling groundwater trends. Statistical analysis revealed that lower‐elevation mountain regions with higher average annual temperatures and lower average annual precipitation have the greatest declines in groundwater storage under climate change. Trends in temperature and precipitation, and ecoregion were also important predictors on groundwater level trends, highlighting geographic differences in how mountain wells are responding to climate change. Furthermore, sedimentary bedrock aquifers showed markedly more negative trends than crystalline bedrock aquifers. The findings demonstrate that the impact of climate change on mountain water resources extends to the subsurface, with important implications for global water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAn increasing number of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) engage in physical activities and may exercise at high altitudes (HA). The physiological adaptations required at HA and their implications on individuals with CHD, especially during exercise, remain underexplored. This systematic review aims to investigate cardiopulmonary exercise responses to short-term HA exposure in individuals with CHD.MethodsA literature search was performed across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, and SPORTDiscus. The search focused on studies comparing patients with CHD to healthy controls, specifically assessing cardiorespiratory responses during cardiopulmonary exercise testing at HA (≥2,500 m) and low altitude (LA). A meta-analysis of the differences in the main cardiorespiratory adaptations during exercise from LA to HA was performed, comparing patients with CHD and controls.ResultsOf the initial 4,500 articles, four studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 150 participants (74 with CHD and 76 controls). Almost all the patients with CHD had lower cardiorespiratory fitness and efficiency both at LA and HA compared to the controls. Nevertheless, the patients with CHD showed a smaller decrease in peak workload [10.61 W (95% CI: 2.33–18.88)] and peak saturation [1.22% (95% CI: 0.14–2.30)] between LA and HA compared to the controls. No participants presented exercise-induced symptoms.ConclusionShort-term exposure to HA appears to be relatively well-tolerated by individuals with low-risk CHD, without a significantly different impact on cardiorespiratory response compared to healthy controls. Further research should confirm these outcomes and explore the long-term effects of higher altitude exposure as comprehensive recommendations for these patients are lacking.

The rapid retreat and fragmentation of Alpine glaciers is widely reported as humanity faces dramatic climate change in mountainous regions. This rapid change leads to changes in sedimentary processes, which are exposed in recently deglaciated regions. These Alpine glacier forefields offer a wide spectrum of settings through which the ancient sedimentary record can be interpreted. Glacial valley orientation, slope inclination and lithology, and plumbing of subglacial and englacial meltwater drainage all influence the immediate preservation potential of glacial sediments upon deposition. In this contribution, we explore the geomorphology and sedimentology of the Taschachferner (a valley glacier), presenting a new geological-geomorphological map. This small glacier drains an icefield in the Ötztal Alps, and its current ice margin lies at approximately 2550 m a.s.l. Thus far, the glacial sedimentology and its bedrock geology have not been subject to investigation. The bedrock geology is dominated by E-W striking units of paragneiss and amphibolite, and the latter exhibit a series of well-preserved striations together with meltwater-sculpted bedforms (p-forms). The lower region of the glacier can be divided into two parts: (i) a clean-ice part, on the northern valley side with a low, subdued profile and (ii) a debris-covered part at the southern valley side, covered with supraglacial debris. The valley margins are dominated by several generations of lateral moraines, the most prominent of which corresponds to the 1852 Little Ice Age Maximum. A well-developed “hanging sandur” is observed immediately in front of the ice margin. This consists of a series of sand and gravel bars cradled in the lee of an interpreted regional fault cross-cutting the bedrock. Sandur deposition is currently influenced and overprinted by dead ice, influencing the trajectory and location of river channels and gravel bars. This paper provides clear lessons regarding the distribution of ice-margin facies associations, which must be incorporated into models of glacier decay in the context of a rapidly warming climate.

This research explores the rich symbolic meanings within traditional Chinese landscapes, focusing on the classical ideals of harmony between Cosmos, Earth, and Humanity. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, the study delves into the intricate relationships between these symbols and their expression across cultural representations, societal norms, and artistic practices. By examining the ethnonational symbols embodied in mountains and rivers, the research uncovers their deep significance in shaping collective beliefs and unifying ideologies beyond geographical borders. It also presents a theoretical framework that enhances the understanding of ecological perspectives and cultural traditions in Chinese landscape art. This framework illustrates how ethnonational symbols have influenced modern Chinese political, social, and cultural discourses, emphasising the role of cultural heritage in cross-cultural dialogue. The study provides valuable insights into the core of Chinese culture and identity, critically examining the assumptions and ideologies behind cultural narratives and social practices. By advocating for a broader interdisciplinary approach, the research highlights the crucial impact of cultural symbols, particularly those related to mountains and rivers, in shaping social interactions, artistic expression, and the construction of cultural identities, enriching our comprehension of Chinese society.

Anthropogenic corridors facilitate alien invasions from low to high elevations in mountains. While native plant assemblages generally show a large elevational turnover to alpine species, alien plant assemblages at high elevations seem to consist of only generalist species with broad tolerances, resulting in a nested structure of lowlands. These may cause homogeneous alien plant assemblages even in geographically isolated higher elevations, thereby undermining the alpine flora uniqueness. We focused on ropeway corridors that may facilitate alien invasions up long elevational gradients from lowlands, and examined the followings on 14 mountains across Japan: Are alien plant assemblages at high elevations accessible by ropeways formed as a subset of lowland alien species? and Are alien plant assemblages homogeneous among isolated higher elevations? We analyzed species richness and spatial turnover of alien and native species at the lower and upper ends of ropeways, as well as the effects of geographical and climatic factors on the spatial turnover and alien species’ presence probability at upper ends. Alien species richness decreased with elevation, whereas native species richness did not. The degree of spatial turnover of alien species was lower than that of native species, especially at upper ends, and was not affected by coordinal distance, unlike native species. The alien species’ presence probability at the upper ends was influenced by that at the lower ends. Our results highlight that homogeneous alien plant assemblages are formed across isolated higher elevations with ropeways. Strengthening the management of lowland alien species pools is necessary to conserve mountain biodiversity.

Leaf-cutting ants are among the most prominent herbivores in neotropical forests and savannas, and Argentina represents the southern limit of their distribution. Despite their importance, few systematic studies analyze the presence and distribution of leaf-cutting ants in Argentina. Our aim was to describe, through an intensive field sampling, the leaf-cutting ant species present in the central Argentine mountains and analyze their distribution along the elevation gradient. We collected ants from 69 nests in 56 out of the 250 plots visited along the study elevation gradient (400–2700 m above sea level) in seven different habitats, from forests to rocky areas. We found six species. The most frequent were Acromyrmex lobicornis and Acromyrmex crassispinus, while Acromyrmex heyeri, Amoimyrmex silvestrii, Amoimyrmex striatus, and Amoimyrmex bruchi were far less frequent. The species distributed at the highest elevation was A. lobicornis (1223 to 2163 m a.s.l.), showing significant differences with the other species. We found leaf-cutting ants in all habitats, with a higher presence in grazing lawns, shrublands, and exotic forests. Our results indicate that leaf-cutting ants are present in most of the mountain range, as the area above their upper limit of distribution represents less than 5% of the total mountain area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rakaia River in the South Island of New Zealand is a unique catchment in which to trace active detrital gold transport, deformation and concentration from near-coeval orogenic sources. The catchment hosts widespread small late Cenozoic hydrothermal alteration zones, some of which are gold-bearing, in actively rising and eroding mountain headwaters. Detrital gold liberated from the sources is distinctively porous with abundant micron-scale silicate inclusions, especially albite. Fine gold (∼200–100 µm) has been transported >100 km downstream, but coarse gold remains highly diluted in proximal fluvial sediments. Fine gold is also diluted by coarse fluvial sediments that form the upper kilometre of the Canterbury sedimentary basin southeast of the mountain front. Minor re-concentration of fine gold occurs in a bedrock gorge at the mountain front, and on steep ocean beaches beyond the river mouth. Despite the long-distance transport, the fine gold particles have been only superficially modified by surface smearing and minor flattening. The gold may have travelled in suspension in the river, buoyed by electrostatically adhering fine micas, in contrast to detrital garnets that were rounded in bed-load. In contrast, detrital gold on the western side of the mountains has been flattened to thin flakes during bed-load transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global literature recognizes the interactions between endogenous and exogenous forest resource (FR) management institutions. However, a comprehensive understanding of the sources, mechanisms, and outcomes of institutional change in diverse physiographic regions is lacking. We analyzed mechanisms and outcomes of five decades of institutional change across four physiographic regions of Nepal. Data collection involved 45 key informant interviews, 37 expert interviews, and 22 focus group discussions, complemented by a review of 24 policy documents and 8 community forest (CF) management plans and reports. Through directed content analysis, we found that endogenous institutions are rooted more in customs, traditions, and social hierarchies, and formal exogenous institutions are rooted in national and international policies, which are frequently observed for commercialized forest resources. It further revealed transformational changes in forest management institutions from state-oriented to community-based management across the regions between 1976 and 2010. Critical juncture, priming-framing and puzzling-learning were key mechanisms in the middle and high mountains. In contrast, Terai's recurrent mechanisms were negative/positive feedback and patching-up. After 2010, (de)incremental changes linked to exogenous and endogenous institutions were found to align more with a global agenda (e.g., REDD+). Priming-framing, negative/positive feedback, and transposition were key institutional change mechanisms of exogenous institutions across the study sites. Economic growth and exogenous institutions played an important role in (de)incremental changes linked to endogenous institutions. Additionally, exogenous institutions produced mixed socioeconomic and positive ecological outcomes, showing regional variations. Endogenous institutions led to positive outcomes, highlighting their importance in sustainable forest management. Future research should examine power dynamics, shedding light on how local actors employ institutions and power to produce differential outcomes in CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weather forecasting for the Zhangjiakou competition zone of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games is a challenging task due to its complex terrain. Numerical weather prediction models generally perform poorly for cold air pools and winds over complex terrains, due to their low spatiotemporal resolution and limitations in the description of dynamics, thermodynamics, and microphysics in mountainous areas. This study proposes an ensemble-learning model, named ENSL, for surface temperature and wind forecasts at the venues of the Zhangjiakou competition zone, by integrating five individual models—linear regression, random forest, gradient boosting decision tree, support vector machine, and artificial neural network (ANN), with a ridge regression as meta model. The ENSL employs predictors from the high-resolution ECMWF model forecast (ECMWF-HRES) data and topography data, and targets from automatic weather station observations. Four categories of predictors (synoptic-pattern related fields, surface element fields, terrain, and temporal features) are fed into ENSL. The results demonstrate that ENSL achieves better performance and generalization than individual models. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) for the temperature and wind speed predictions is reduced by 48.2% and 28.5%, respectively, relative to ECMWF-HRES. For the gust speed, the performance of ENSL is consistent with ANN (best individual model) in the whole dataset, whereas ENSL outperforms on extreme gust samples (42.7% compared with 38.7% obtained by ECMWF-HRES in terms of RMSE reduction). Sensitivity analysis of predictors in the four categories shows that ENSL fits their feature importance rankings and physical explanations effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable tourism can combine recreation for people, economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, and environmental protection, but for mountain tourism, climate change and the predicted reductions in snowfall require urgent action. Therefore, this study aims to identify sustainable mountain tourism strategies and consumption patterns using a multi‐criteria decision methodology and data collected through an online survey and expert opinions. The results show the importance of stakeholder engagement and the relevance of three strategies: (i) zero‐emission lodges; (ii) energy communities, and (iii) zero‐emission ski lifts. As well as pointing out the need for sustainability awareness and education. While respondents pay a great deal of attention to sustainability, the analysis highlights three policy interventions to safeguard mountain tourism: (i) financing the conversion of facilities; (ii) expanding infrastructure to reach mountain resorts, and (iii) rewarding consumers for choosing a certified zero‐emission resort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is affected by human activity mainly by producing greenhouse gases (ghg) that alter the atmosphere and increase the average temperature of the planet. In the Andes, an eastern mountain range, with an important altitudinal range, is located the department of Boyacá, the second largest potato producer in Colombia with an area culturally linked to the tuber, which is vulnerable to climate change. Given the above, it is relevant, for potato production, to know the distribution of climate change in the potato zone of Boyacá. In this research, the change in precipitation and temperature in this area during the period 1986-2017 is determined. 37 stations with annual precipitation and temperature series were selected, missing data were reconstructed, multi-year averages and changes in these elements were estimated. The climatic variables and their changes were zoned by spatial interpolation. Spatially differential changes were found in temperature between -1.2 °C and 1.6 °C and precipitation between -40 % to 60 %. It is concluded that there is spatial variability due to climate change in the mumps zone of Boyacá, with an increase and decrease in both precipitation and temperature in about 50 % of the territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Natura 2000 Network (N2000N) is the main conservation instrument of the European Union. Its implementation for the whole EU territory in the last 30 years has largely been carried out top-down, combining the local level poorly. The Queixa and San Mamede mountain ranges, located in south-eastern Galicia, have been proposed as a single natural park since at least the 1970s, although political inactivity and lack of interest in conservation by the local population have made this difficult to achieve. However, most of this mountain area has been designated as N2000N territory. This article demonstrates that the designation took place in a non-transparent manner and without public participation. As a consequence, our analysis questions the legitimacy of the Galician N2000N areas. The article addresses N2000N management and academic criticism in this respect. Finally, we recommend involvement of the local population in the future, as the only way to guarantee effective conservation and improve perceptions of the N2000N at local level. The analysis presented here is relevant for the future of this and other mountainous areas belonging to the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountains and highlands are not what scholars have conventionally imagined them to be: environments that limit and constrain their inhabitants in deterministic ways. Rather, mountains and highlands provide unique opportunities for people to engage in creative transformation of their societies. Highland communities are connected to a wider world, and they radically remake and experiment with their landscapes, settlements, and societies. Mountains serve as birthplaces and testing grounds for statecraft, urbanism, irrigation, and monumental landscape engineering. Here we explore the diversity of highland communities by analysing the latest archaeological and historical discoveries from three regions across Southeast Asia: the Kulen mountains (Cambodia), the volcanoes of central Java (Indonesia), and the Ifugao highlands (the Philippines). We find that, far from being a negative image of the 'civilized' lowlands, mountains were creative, diverse, dynamic, and well-connected places. This compels us to change the way we conceive of today's highland communities and their relationships to modern nation-states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Debris flows are powered by sediment supplied from steep hillslopes where soils are often patchy and interrupted by bare‐bedrock cliffs. The role of patchy soils and cliffs in supplying sediment to channels remains unclear, particularly surrounding wildfire disturbances that heighten debris‐flow hazards by increasing sediment supply to channels. Here, we examine how variation in soil cover on hillslopes affects sediment sizes in channels surrounding the 2020 El Dorado wildfire, which burned debris‐flow prone slopes in the San Bernardino Mountains, California. We focus on six headwater catchments (<0.1 km2) where hillslope sources ranged from a continuous soil mantle to 95% bare‐bedrock cliffs. At each site, we measured sediment grain size distributions at the same channel locations before and immediately following the wildfire. We compared results to a mixing model that accounts for three distinct hillslope sediment sources distinguished by local slope thresholds. We find that channel sediment in fully soil‐mantled catchments reflects hillslope soils (D50 = 0.1–0.2 cm) both before and after the wildfire. In steeper catchments with cliffs, channel sediment is consistently coarse prior to fire (D50 = 6–32 cm) and reflects bedrock fracture spacing, despite cliffs representing anywhere from 5% to 95% of the sediment source area. Following the fire, channel sediment size reduces most (5‐ to 20‐fold) in catchments where hillslope sources are predominantly soil covered but with patches of cliffs. The abrupt fining of channel sediment is thought to facilitate postfire debris‐flow initiation, and our results imply that this effect is greatest where bare‐bedrock cliffs are present but not dominant. A patchwork of bare‐bedrock cliffs is common in steeplands where hillslopes respond to channel incision by landsliding. We show how local slope thresholds applied to such terrain aid in estimating sediment supply conditions before two destructive debris flows that eventually nucleated in these study catchments in 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For scholars and students of Late Antiquity, the stylite's column exerts a special appeal. Scholars have examined literary representations of stylites and sought out visual parallels for the phenomenon of column-standing. This article shows that topographical contexts were central to establishing the potency of the column as a holy object and the trajectory of stylitism in history. I employ the term topography broadly to encompass the physical characteristics of an area, the ways in which humans augmented physical characteristics through the built environment, and specific architectural organizations. I examine three topographical contexts and make three interconnected arguments. By selecting the hill adjacent to Telanissos as the location for his columns, the premier stylite Symeon (d. 459) participated in a long-standing regional tradition of activating the numinous power of high places and stone through cultic activity. The monumental pilgrimage complex built after Symeon's death made the column a relic and integrated veneration of Symeon into liturgical ritual. The incorporation of stylites into northern Syria's cenobitic communities circumscribed stylitism as a distinctly monastic vocation. These three contexts illustrate that the significance of the column was located in processes of production and reception. At the same time, stylite columns were not passive objects. They faced the gods of old; they enriched ecclesiastical rituals; they molded the bodies of those who activated them; they proclaimed the ascendancy of monastic institutions. As both products of their topography and agents within it, stylite columns constructed a distinctive Christian landscape in Syria's limestone massif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevational gradients constitute excellent systems for understanding the mechanisms that generate and maintain global biodiversity patterns. Climatic gradients associated with elevation show strong influence on species distribution in mountains. The study of mountains covered by the same habitat type is an ideal scenario to compare alternatives to the energy hypotheses. Our aim was to investigate how changes in climatic conditions along the elevational gradient drive α- and β-diversity of four taxa in a mountain system located within a grassland biome. We sampled ants, spiders, birds and plants, and measured climatic variables at six elevational bands (with 10 sampling sites each) established between 470 and 1,000 masl on a mountain from the Ventania Mountain System, Argentina. Species richness per site and β-diversity (turnover and nestedness) between the lowest band and upper sites were estimated. For most taxa, species richness declined at high elevations and energy, through temperature, was the major driver of species richness for ants, plants and birds, prevailing over productivity and water availability. The major β-diversity component was turnover for plants, spiders and birds, and nestedness for ants. The unique environmental conditions of the upper bands could favour the occurrence of specialist and endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]