Mountain Development Research Articles

Lithological and tectonic impact on the Wielkie Torfowisko Batorowskie Mire development in the Table Mountains, Poland

Lithological and tectonic impact on the Wielkie Torfowisko Batorowskie Mire development in the Table Mountains, Poland

Woody plant communities in different land management types and implications on mountain biodiversity conservation in central Ethiopia

The prominence of mountains as social-ecological systems and the need for sustainable mountain development have increasingly been recognized in global agendas and international conventions. This study aims to investigate woody plant diversity, composition, and population structure in two different land management types: lands managed by the Wanchi Ecotourism Association (WETA) and non-WETA members at the slopes of Wanchi Mountain. Trees and shrubs with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were recorded from 20 m by 20 m plots and those with DBH<5 cm were counted within sub-plots of 10 m by 10 m. Tree seedlings were recorded from five 3 m by 3 m sub-sub-plots. The quasi-Poisson generalized linear model with a log-link function was used to analyze the richness of woody species and their association with environmental variables. Non-metric multidimensional scaling with Bray-Curtis distance in two-dimensional space was employed for the woody species composition. Tree species population structure was analyzed using tree diameter distribution classes. The study identified 104 woody plants belonging to 82 genera and 52 families. Woody species richness in WETA-managed lands is significantly (P=0.009) greater than that of non-WETA-managed lands. The study found that woody species richness significantly declined with increasing anthropogenic disturbance (P<0.001) and slope (P<0.001) in both WETA and non-WETA-managed land. Woody species richness also showed negative associations with aspect. The tree species in both the land management types revealed nearly similar population structures. The study highlighted the importance of sustainable land management practices such as ecotourism in areas of significant natural endowments like that of the Wanchi Mountain. Such practices can guide more sustainable mountain biodiversity conservation while realizing appropriate local livelihood improvement strategies.

A molecular phylogeny of the Petaluridae (Odonata: Anisoptera): A 160-Million-Year-Old story of drift and extinction

Petaluridae (Odonata: Anisoptera) is a relict dragonfly family, having diverged from its sister family in the Jurassic, of eleven species that are notable among odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) for their exclusive use of fen and bog habitats, their burrowing behavior as nymphs, large body size as adults, and extended lifespans. To date, several nodes within this family remain unresolved, limiting the study of the evolution of this peculiar family. Using an anchored hybrid enrichment dataset of over 900 loci we reconstructed the species tree of Petaluridae. To estimate the temporal origin of the genera within this family, we used a set of well-vetted fossils and a relaxed molecular clock model in a divergence time estimation analysis. We estimate that Petaluridae originated in the early Cretaceous and confirm the existence of monophyletic Gondwanan and Laurasian clades within the family. Our relaxed molecular clock analysis estimated that these clades diverged from their MRCA approximately 160 mya. Extant lineages within this family were identified to have persisted from 6 (Uropetala) to 120 million years (Phenes). Our biogeographical analyses focusing on a set of key regions suggest that divergence within Petaluridae is largely correlated with continental drift, the exposure of land bridges, and the development of mountain ranges. Our results support the hypothesis that species within Petaluridae have persisted for tens of millions of years, with little fossil evidence to suggest widespread extinction in the family, despite optimal conditions for the fossilization of nymphs. Petaluridae appear to be a rare example of habitat specialists that have persisted for tens of millions of years.

Spatial Spillover Effects of Urbanization on Ecosystem Services under Altitude Gradient

Rapid urbanization has made mountain development an important means to alleviate the shortages of construction land on plains, which has significantly affected regional ecosystem services. In-depth research on the impact of urbanization on ecosystem services under altitude gradients is of great significance to clarify the relationship between the two. Based on data from 2000, 2010 and 2020, the urbanization level and ecosystem services of the study area were evaluated. The spatial correlation of ecosystem services was analyzed by Moran’s I. A spatial Durbin model (SDM) was selected to fit the regression. The results show that (1) from 2000 to 2020, the ecosystem services in the study area displayed obvious regional characteristics and aggregation characteristics; (2) in plain areas, the indirect effects of economic, population and land urbanization have a greater negative impact, and compared with shallow mountain areas, deep mountain areas are more negatively affected by economic urbanization and land urbanization; and (3) the significant difference in regression results reflects the rationality of using the spatial Durbin model, as in this paper, and proves the scientific nature of regional coordinated development. The research results provide a reference for the future coordinated development of regional economies and environments.

Evaluating suitability of development and construction with of minimum cumulative resistance model for a mountain scenic area in Jinyun Xiandu, China

Owing to the intricate nature of the ecological environment and spatial complexity, effectively mitigating over-exploitation and ecological harm poses a challenge during the development and construction of mountain scenic areas. Ttraditional ecological sensitivity assessment employed in mountain scenic areas mainly focuses on ecological protection, neglecting the dynamic interplay between ecology and the evolution of construction land.Taking Xiandu mountain scenic area, a representative mountainous development zone in Jinyun County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China, as a study area, this study employs the minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR) to simulate the resistance encountered by ecological sources and construction activities during the expansion process. The study establishes an evaluation framework for development in mountain scenic areas, considering ecological processes both vertically and horizontally. Quantitative analyses are performed through ArcGIS and the analytic network process (ANP) to delineate development adaptability zones in the mountain scenic area. The study utilizes grid mutation points to determine the zoning threshold for development suitability in mountain scenic areas, resulting in the categorization of these areas into four distinct types of development zones: most appropriate for construction, suitable for construction, not suitable for construction, and least suitable for construction.The partition result shows that the most appropriate construction area constitutes 6.68% of the primary scenic area, while the suitable construction zone occupies 40.64% of the main scenic expanse.The study can expand the application area of the MCR model, and the evaluation framework can augment the accuracy and breadth for future mountain scenic area development researches.

Shelterbelt construction in the scenario of coordinated development of mountain, river, forest, farmland, lake, grassland, and sandy land ecosystems in semi-arid wind-sand areas: Principles and methods

We established the systematic concept framework of shelterbelt construction, with "shelterbelts" as the core concern in the construction of integrated ecosystems including mountain, river, forest, farmland, lake, grassland and sandy-land in semi-arid wind-sand areas. In the construction of shelterbelts, it is necessary to adhere to the principles of scientific coordination and systematic management, considering the carrying capacity of water resources, the demand for dust control, the greening and beautification effects, as well as the principle of improving economic benefits. In practice, the construction methods should base on the types and temporal-spatial distribution of shelterbelts, following the shelterbelts construction theory and technology to form different structure and service functions, achieving the functional goals of shelterbelts. By focusing on the key elements including people, forests, grass, fields, water, and sand, we put forward the timeliness, practicality, and scientificity of shelterbelt construction, proposing construction methods for farmland shelterbelts, pastureland shelterbelts, windbreak and sand-fixing forests and protective forest around village (city), which might provide production technical support for the high-quality construction of green ecological barrier in northern China.

Bottom-Up Initiatives for Sustainable Mountain Development in Italy: An Interregional Explorative Survey

In recent years, citizen-led initiatives have emerged to complement top-down development policies, particularly to pursue sustainability objectives and benefit traditionally left-behind communities and places. Existing research on this phenomenon in Italian mountain areas suggests a primary emphasis on revitalizing the natural environment, preserving local culture and traditions, and delivering social services to address the absence of public facilities. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding their profiles, key features, social and environmental impacts, and challenges at the national level. As part of a broader research project, this empirical work contributes to the literature on bottom-up sustainability-oriented initiatives in mountain regions by conducting an explorative interregional online survey. We gathered original data on 196 initiatives from the mountain areas of the Italian regions of Basilicata, Lombardia, Marche, Sicilia, and Veneto. The findings indicate that our sample shares common traits, visions, and values, making a positive contribution to the sustainable development of their respective territories. However, these initiatives must contend with internal and external challenges to enhance their resilience and impact. Importantly, the research may support policymakers at various levels in the design of public policies that harness the full potential of bottom-up initiatives, ultimately enhancing the development and sustainability of these lands.

Neogene faulting, basin development, and relief generation in the southern Klamath Mountains (USA)

Abstract Development and evaluation of models for tectonic evolution in the Cascadia forearc require understanding of along-strike heterogeneity of strain distribution, uplift, and upper-plate characteristics. Here, we investigated the Neogene geologic record of the Klamath Mountains province in southernmost Cascadia and obtained apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) thermochronology of Mesozoic plutons, Neogene graben sediment thickness, detrital zircon records from Neogene grabens, gravity and magnetic data, and kinematic analysis of faults. We documented three aspects of Neogene tectonics: early Miocene and younger rock exhumation, development of topographic relief sufficient to isolate Neogene graben-filling sediments from sources outside of the Klamath Mountains, and initiation of mid-Miocene or younger right-lateral and reverse faulting. Key findings are: (1) 10 new apatite AHe mean cooling ages from the Canyon Creek and Granite Peak plutons in the Trinity Alps range from 24.7 ± 2.1 Ma to 15.7 ± 2.1 Ma. Inverse thermal modeling of these data and published apatite fission-track ages indicate the most rapid rock cooling between ca. 25 and 15 Ma. One new AHe mean cooling age (26.7 ± 3.2 Ma) from the Ironside Mountain batholith 40 km west of the Trinity Alps, combined with previously published AHe ages, suggests geographically widespread latest Oligocene to Miocene cooling in the southern Klamath Mountains province. (2) AHe ages of 39.4 ± 5.1 Ma on the downthrown side and 22.7 ± 3.0 Ma on the upthrown side of the Browns Meadow fault suggest early Miocene to younger fault activity. (3) U-Pb detrital zircon ages (n = 862) and Lu-Hf isotope geochemistry from Miocene Weaverville Formation sediments in the Weaverville, Lowden Ranch, Hayfork, and Hyampom grabens south and southwest of the Trinity Alps can be traced to entirely Klamath Mountains sources; they suggest the south-central Klamath Mountains had, by the middle Miocene, sufficient relief to isolate these grabens from more distal sediment sources. (4) Two Miocene detrital zircon U-Pb ages of 10.6 ± 0.4 Ma and 16.7 ± 0.2 Ma from the Lowden Ranch graben show that the maximum depositional age of the upper Weaverville Formation here is younger than previously recognized. (5) A prominent steep-sided negative gravity anomaly associated with the Hayfork graben shows that both the north and south margins are fault-controlled, and inversion of gravity data suggests basin fill is between 1 km and 1.9 km thick. Abrupt elevation changes of basin fill-to-bedrock contacts reported in well logs record E-side-up and right-lateral faulting at the eastern end of the Hayfork graben. A NE-striking gravity gradient separates the main graben on the west from a narrower, thinner basin to the east, supporting this interpretation. (6) Of fset of both the base of the Weaverville Formation and the cataclasite-capped La Grange fault surface by a fault on the southwest margin of the Weaverville basin documents 200 m of reverse and 1500 m of right-lateral strike-slip motion on this structure, here named the Democrat Gulch fault; folded and steeply dipping strata adjacent to the fault confirm that faulting postdated deposition of the Weaverville Formation. Based on these findings, we suggest that Miocene rock cooling recorded by AHe ages, accompanying graben formation, and development of topographic relief record early to middle Miocene initiation of underplating or “subcretion” in the southern Cascadia subduction zone beneath the southern Klamath Mountains.

Tectonic structure and stages of geological development of the Sterlitamak shikhans

The article considers the features of the tectonic structure and geological development of the Lower Permian single mountains – shikhans on the left bank of the Belaya River near the city of Sterlitamak (Republic of Bashkortostan). The analysis of published and archival materials, field research, the study of core material, lithological and structural observations allowed us to get an idea of the tectonics of single mountains (shikhans). The Shikhans are part of a single chain of carbonate massifs composed of reef facies and located submeridionally (from south to north) in the western side of the Pre-Uralian Foredeep. In the area of Sterlitamak four massivеs are brought to the surface of the Earth as part of a single Shikhan block. The tectonic structure of the territory is determined by paleotectonic (the period from 3600 to 23 million years) and neotectonic (23 – 5 million years).years and up to the present) events that are combined into periods and are divided into stages. The formation of reef complexes composing the shikhans was controlled by paleotectonic events of the collision stage of development, which led to the formation of the continental shelf margin with conditions favorable for the formation of reef communities on the border of the Pre-Uralian Foredeep during the Asselian and Sakmarian epochs (for 15 million years). Subsequent geological events – in the Artinskian and Kungur time, in the Late Permian-Early Mesozoic stage and in the Middle Jurassic-Miocene platform stage caused the destruction and leveling of the Early Permian relief, erosion of sediments and their overlap with younger sediments. The tectonic impact of the last Pliocene-Quaternary neo-orogenic stage (5 – 0 million years) is most intensively manifested in the rocks of Shikhans. It is expressed in intense fracturing and fragmentation of rocks, their recrystallization with loss of primary structural and textural features. The neotectonic movements of the blocks of the Earth's crust contributed to the removal to the surface of individual sections of the reef complexes distribution zone. The isolation of reef shikhans was a result of presence of an evaporites оver them, which were easily eroded. The tectonic effect on the carbonate rocks of reef nature contributed to the formation of zones of increased fracturing observed in the rocks of the Sterlitamak shikhans and penetration of oil-containing solutions and fluids, which formed areas of rocks with increased reservoir properties. Leaching and karst zones with residual bitumen are observed on almost all shikhans.

Depopulating Villages and Mobility of People in the Garhwal Himalaya

Rural out-migration is a worldwide phenomenon that is also visible in many mountainous regions, creating the impression of an abandoned landscape. In order to achieve sustainable mountain development, it is crucial to understand the various drivers and implications of out-migration in the mountains. Using both secondary and primary data on migration, this study examines different aspects of migration in the Garhwal Himalaya. Secondary data on migration were derived from a report published by the Rural Development and Migration Commission of Uttarakhand in 2018 that included migration statistics for the Garhwal region from 2011 to 2018. Primary data were collected through field surveys. Several types of migration were observed in the region, including semi-permanent migration, permanent migration, and in-migration. The study reveals that out-migration is a serious problem in the Garhwal Himalaya, as it has caused many socio-economic problems in the region. If these problems are not addressed immediately, the number of uninhabited/ghost villages in the region will increase rapidly, and the population of many villages will decline significantly. Finally, various policy measures were proposed to minimize the high rate of out-migration from the Garhwal Himalaya.

Conceptual Analysis of the Tea-Horse Road as Cultural Route -- A Case Study of Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er, Yunnan Province

Based on field investigations, historical research and the integration of existing research achievements of relevant disciplines, this paper frames the Tea-Horse Road as a “cultural route” as specified by the <i>ICOMOS Charter on Cultural Routes</i>. The paper argues that the Tea-Horse Road is in essence a land transportation network in Asia shaped by the demand for material and cultural exchange among different ethnic groups and regions in western China. The development of the Tea-Horse Road had linked China with Southeast Asia and South Asia, a process in which tea played an active and decisive role. The paper first illustrates the distribution and history of the Tea-Horse Road in Yunnan, arguing that its layout was predominantly influenced by non-official trade. Then the paper shifts the focus to Jingmai Mountain, expounding on the migration and tea plantation history of the indigenous Dai and Blang people with evidence from several angles; it also establishes the demand for tea and the tea trading and transportation routes as the decisive factors for the development of Jingmai tea mountain, as evidenced by the formation and evolution of the old tea forests. As evidence by the religious buildings and relics, Tea-Horse Road served as the conduit for the introduction of religion, culture, technology and tools into Jingmai Mountain. In conclusion, the author argues that the concept of the Tea-Horse Road provides a broader perspective and important historical clues to understand the heritage values of Jingmai Mountain, which in turn furthers understanding the Tea-Horse Road as a “cultural route”.

Moving Mountains: A New Strategy and Action Plan for ICIMOD to Embrace Change and Accelerate Impact to 2030

In the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), at the top of the world, we are witnessing rapid climate change, biodiversity loss, increased disaster risk, and rising inequality. Ambitious partnerships must drive evidence-based action to solve these complex problems. As an intergovernmental knowledge center for the 8 HKH countries—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan—the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) aims to deliver tangible outcomes to address the challenges the region faces. It will meet these challenges through a new strategy and action plan. The vision is to work toward a greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient HKH. This will be delivered through a refreshed mission to build and share knowledge that enables greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient policies and through action and investment across the diverse countries and communities of the HKH.

Reconfiguration of ecohydrology as a sustainability tool for Himalayan waterways

AbstractTwenty first century faces unprecedented challenges for the management of global waterways. The Himalayan waterways in Asia are exposed to unpredictable climatic warming together with anthropogenic perturbations caused by population growth, land use change and socio‐economic development. Given the increased public concerns on the Himalayan Mountain development programmes including the hydropower and tourism, there has been a growing need of the use of interdisciplinary scientific approaches to address water resources challenges that the Himalayan region has faced during the 21st century. Ecohydrology is an emerging scientific tool that explores key hydrological processes regulating structure and function of ecosystems, as well as assessing the impact of biological processes on water cycle variables under rapidly changing environment. The International Geosphere‐Biosphere Programme and the International Hydrological Programme hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization have adopted ecohydrology as a sustainable development tool by linking water resources and poverty eradication and ecosystem restoration, irrigation, energy and sanitation. However, ecohydrology tool needs to be reconfigured for sustainable development of rapidly changing Himalayan waterways. Here we propose the advancement of ecohydrology by developing various integrated frameworks of ecology, hydrology, hydraulics and sociology for resilient waterways in the Asian Himalayas.

Mountain Index Business Model Nexus Internet of Things Development and Sustainability

The paper proposes an aggregate index for a model regarding mountain business development through the Internet of Things (IoT) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The paper presents an aggregate index, built from unequal indices, which sustains the business development model in the mountain area, primarily through ICT and IoT. The proposed model is predictive. The paper contains relevant data related to the Eurostat index Business Demography and activities of ICT and IoT for some European mountain areas. Data have been processed and simulated in Excel, SPSS, and Make fractal software. The article performed exploratory and quantitative analysis, using statistics and forecasting techniques based on ANOVA. The indicator, the first in the specific literature, and its application developed a considerable model of the mountain business, in the 2022 context, declared by the United Nations as the” International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development”

SUBSTANTIATION OF BULLDOZER-EXCAVATOR-AUTOMOBILE COMPLEX FOR REMOVAL OF OVERBURDEN LAYER OF FLUVIOGLACIAL DEPOSITS IN THE CONDITIONS OF SOSNIVSKY GRANITE DEPOSIT

Purpose and task. The aim of the research is to substantiate the expediency and efficiency of using a bulldozer-excavator-automobile complex with the use of ripper bulldozers to remove the overburden layer of fluvioglacial deposits in the conditions of the Sosnivsky granite deposit. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to: establish the patterns of distribution and features of fluvioglacial deposits; to analyze possible technological schemes of development of gravel and sand deposits; justify the need and effectiveness of the technological complex of equipment for the removal of fluvioglacial deposits in the quarry; to establish the dependence of the variable productivity of the excavator on the average size of the piece of rock. Research methods. An integrated approach was used to solve the set tasks: analysis and generalization of previous research on the peculiarities of fluvioglacial deposits and the possibility of using equipment complexes for the development of gravel and sand mountains; technological substantiation of the offered engineering and scientific decisions; analytical calculation of variable productivity of the excavator depending on the average size of a piece of rock. Scientific novelty. The possibility of using a bulldozer-excavator-automobile complex of equipment for removing the overburden layer of fluvioglacial deposits in rock quarries has been substantiated. The analytical dependence of the change in excavator productivity on the average piece size of fluvioglacial deposits is obtained. Conclusions and practical significance. It is established that when the average size of gravel-sand material changes from 20 to 200 mm, the productivity of the excavator decreases by 1,59 times. It is proved that the productivity of the excavator type "straight shovel" is 17% higher than the productivity of the backhoe excavator. For the conditions of the Sosnivsky granite deposit quarry, where the weighted average size of a piece of fluvioglacial sediment is 171 mm, the variable productivity of the excavator is: according to the first technological scheme (hydraulic backhoe excavator placed on the roof of the sediment) – 474,1 m3/shift; according to the second technological scheme (excavator "straight shovel" is located on the lower production horizon) – 553,1 m3/shift. Keywords: fluvioglacial deposits, quarry, technological schemes, equipment complex, excavator productivity, gravel-sand rocks.

Rethinking the Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Sustainable Mountain Development and Protected Area Management in Canada and Aotearoa/New Zealand

For many Indigenous communities who live in mountain regions around the globe, the histories of mountain park development have often facilitated dispossession from ancestral territories. Diverse Indigenous communities share similar experiences, where park interests have conflicted with Indigenous lands. However, colonial practices of park management are consistently being rethought. Canada and Aotearoa/New Zealand are examples where new designations of parks are now emerging to support management practices that assert Indigenous knowledge and land rights. Guided by Indigenous methodologies and supported by secondary literature, the analysis of policy documents, and community-based research with Indigenous communities in Canada and Aotearoa/New Zealand, this article highlights grassroots Indigenous-led park management practices that move beyond colonial frameworks. This research indicates the potential of protected areas to strengthen the livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and mountain ecosystems by demonstrating how colonial histories can be reconciled and conservation policies integrated to support the sustainable development of mountain regions.

The International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022: an opportunity to promote action for mountains

The International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022: an opportunity to promote action for mountains

Effects of Long-Term Exposure to High Altitude Hypoxia on Cognitive Function and Its Mechanism: A Narrative Review.

Cognitive function is affected by low pressure and hypoxia in high-altitude environments, and is regulated by altitude and exposure time. With the economic development in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the increase in work and study activities, as well as the development of plateau tourism, mountaineering, and other activities, the number of plateau immigrants is increasing daily. Long-term hypoxia challenges human physical and mental health, restricts work efficiency, and thus affects plateau economic development and human wellbeing. Therefore, it is of scientific and social significance to study how long-term exposure to the hypoxic plateau environment affects the physical and mental health of lowlanders as part of the ongoing development of the current plateau region. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress and mechanism of the effects of long-term (≥1 year) high-altitude (>2500 m) hypoxia exposure on the cognitive function of lowlanders, and suggested that the scope and sample size of the research should be expanded in the future, and that follow-up studies should be carried out to explore the time threshold of cognitive impairment and its compensatory or repair mechanism.

Joint Endeavor Toward Sustainable Mountain Development: Research at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences

The sustainable development of mountain regions requires inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge. The Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research contributes to this global endeavor as part of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and as a member of international scientific networks, together with local partners and stakeholders. As a joint effort of individual researchers covering multiple fields, this article highlights our views on mountains as research objects, the phenomena we investigate as parts of entire mountain systems, and the synergies and differences of the disciplinary frames within which we work. Alles ist Wechselwirkung [Everything is interaction] (A. von Humboldt, 18XX, 27r)

Avitourism as an aspect of sustainable mountain development: a case study from Southern China

Birdwatching has become increasingly popular over the past two decades. Because of its potential to meet both economic and conservation needs, birdwatching tourism (or avitourism) has been considered a tool for sustainable regional development. To date, very few studies have examined the impacts of avitourism in mountainous protected areas in China. We therefore conducted a case study of the Nonggang avitourism project in Southern China to explore the impacts of the activity on livelihoods and conservation. By investigating 197 local households using a structured questionnaire, we found that avitourism has improved and diversified mountain people’s livelihoods, by providing employment opportunities, and increased household incomes. Moreover, it has supported biodiversity conservation by raising mountain people’s awareness of sustainability and their willingness to conserve biodiversity. Community participation, government support and collaboration between stakeholders are important for the success of this project. We conclude that, when implemented adequately, avitourism can support sustainable mountain development.