Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Besides the action of organizations, researchers of the world are
connected via some research institutions and think tanks such as MRI,
Mountain Forum, IEA and LTSER. The Mountain Research Initiative (MRI)
is a multidisciplinary scientifi c organization that addresses global change
issues in mountain regions around the world. MRI promotes and supports:
MRI regional networks, MRI events and MRI publications. The objectives
of MRI includes a vision of a global change scientifi c program that: detects
signals of global environmental change in mountain environments; defi nes
the consequences of global environmental change for mountain regions
as well as lowland systems dependent on mountain resources; informs
sustainable land, water, and resource management for mountain regions at
local to regional scales (Becker and Bugmann 2001). The MRI program has
three elements: communication, framing the research agenda and funding.
The World Mountain Forum (WMF) provides a permanent innovative
platform for concerned mountain actors to exchange information, establish
a regular dialogue and connect different levels of actors. The vision of the
World Mountain Forum (WMF) is to conserve, construct and celebrate
mountain regions as vital ecosystems, by engaging their inhabitants and all
those who benefi t from mountains to jointly promote their conservation and
sustainable development. Besides the WMF will generate innovative public
private partnerships (PPPs) to promote and implement relevant activities
for sustainable Mountain Development and will increase the awareness
and recognition regarding the relevance and challenges of mountain people
worldwide (Muenger 2011).
The Institute for Alpine Environment of European Academy (EURAC),
a problem-oriented research between the confl icting priorities of ecology-
economy was founded in 1995. In a range of international, national and
regional projects and co-operations a multi-disciplinary team of young
scientists is investigating the following fi elds of research by experimental
field research, computer simulations as well as participative trans-
disciplinary approaches: Ecosystem research and landscape ecology
of mountain environments with a special focus on global change;
biogeochemical cycles; functional biodiversity; ecosystem services;
sustainable development (IAE 2011).
Besides those actions there is the project of implanting a net of
researchers in the molds of a LTER—Long Term Ecological Research
Network. The key feature of LTER is its long-term approach. Many of the
central ecological processes and problems, such as biodiversity changes and
effects of climate change on biogeochemical cycles, take place over the long
time scales and gradually. Short term projects are not enough to elucidate
trends in global change and the effects of policies on the environment. The
permanent infrastructure is required for monitoring these changes.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search