Mountain Communities Research Articles

Quantitative Assessment of Age-Friendly Design in Mountainous Urban Community Parks Based on Nonlinear Models: An Empirical Study in Chongqing, China

As China undergoes a rapid transition into an aging society, the mobility challenges faced by the older adults in high-density mountainous cities are exacerbated by complex topographical conditions. Existing studies often overlook the nonlinear relationships and the distinct planning requirements of mountainous versus flat urban areas when evaluating the age-friendliness of community parks. This study aims to identify the critical elements of age-friendly planning in mountainous community parks, validate the applicability of nonlinear models, and quantify the dynamic effects of various factors on older adults’ satisfaction, thereby establishing a foundation for targeted optimization strategies. Utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) on 358 valid questionnaires collected from three representative mountainous community parks in Chongqing, six key planning factors were extracted. An ordered logit model was employed for regression and marginal effect analyses. The findings reveal that (1) the ordered logit model outperforms alternative models in terms of goodness-of-fit and computational efficiency, making it particularly suitable for capturing the nonlinear characteristics of satisfaction; (2) accessibility facilities, spatial and social connectivity, and landscape environment emerge as the primary determinants of older adults’ satisfaction, with improvements in accessibility facilities exerting the most significant impact; and (3) the provision of multifunctional activity spaces and increased social opportunities effectively addresses the psychological and physiological needs of the older adults. This study contributes to the optimization of age-friendly design strategies for community parks in high-density mountainous cities, offering valuable insights for promoting healthy aging and fostering inclusive urban environments.

Constructing a Defense Against Poverty Reversion Through University Practice in the Context of Rural Revitalization: A Case Study of the Dianfanghe Community

Against the backdrop of the rural revitalization strategy after poverty alleviation in China, this paper takes the Dianfanghe community in Zhaochuan Town, Shangnan County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province as the research object and explores the role of universities in constructing a mechanism to prevent poverty reversion. A mixed-methods approach was adopted for 646 households, combining field surveys, household surveys, and spatial analysis to identify key vulnerabilities. The study found that there are five dimensions of the risk of poverty reversion in the community after poverty alleviation: unbalanced human structure, fragile physical capital, constraints of the natural environment, single source of income, and weak social capital. To address these risks, a three-party collaborative monitoring mechanism involving the government, universities, and society was proposed, which effectively enhanced the community’s risk resistance ability. This model provides a replicable paradigm for universities’ participation in consolidating poverty alleviation achievements in the new era and has important reference value for similar mountainous communities.

The role of livelihood assets in shaping water security in mountain regions

Abstract Water security in mountain regions requires a deep understanding of the complex interplay of climatic and socioeconomic factors. While socio-hydrology offers a conceptual framework emphasizing the equal importance of social and hydrological processes in water management outcomes, the relative significance of each may vary depending on the specific context, water users’ perspectives, and their particular needs. To study these relationships, we applied the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) to explore how livelihood assets of water user groups affect their water security in the headwaters of Cusco, Peru. We surveyed 154 residents about their perceptions of their natural, physical, social, human, and financial assets, alongside external influences like climate change and water legislation. We found that while water infrastructure (physical asset) is critical for water access, it does not ensure water security. Robust social assets are essential, as well as contributions from other assets. Furthermore, our results indicate that water user profiles (e.g. domestic water users or farmers) explain better the variability in water-related livelihood assets than geographical location or altitude. Using the SLF approach, we were able to identify the unique water-related needs, priorities, and challenges faced by each water user group. Therefore, water management in high mountain areas may pass through holistic community engagement and the strengthening of diverse assets—especially social ones—which can be achieved and included in policy frameworks aimed at sustainable water management and equitable water access. This would enable mountain communities to be better equipped to handle environmental and economic changes, moving towards more resilient and inclusive water security solutions.

The Wisdom of the Mountains: Traditional Knowledge for Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction

Mountain communities worldwide have developed unique and effective strategies for managing resources and mitigating risks associated with their challenging environments. This paper explores these traditional practices, focusing on the Uttarakhand Himalaya while drawing parallels with other mountainous regions globally. Based on long interaction with the masses and understanding of their traditions, this paper examines the manner in which communities have ensured water security, mitigated landslides, built earthquake-resistant structures, and maintained food security through innovative practices. These time-tested strategies, deeply intertwined with local ecosystems and cultural traditions, remain highly relevant even today. However, globalization and modernization are leading to their gradual erosion. This paper argues for the critical need to integrate this invaluable traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches to develop holistic, cost-effective, and socially acceptable solutions for resource management and disaster risk reduction in mountain environments. This integrated approach, recognizing the wisdom embedded in the "little tradition" of mountain communities, promises to enhance the resilience and well-being of these societies in a changing world.

A gendered analysis of perception and adaptation to climate change among High Mountain farmers: a case study of Nagar District, Pakistan

ABSTRACT Climate change affects male and female farmers differently, yet research on gender-specific perceptions and adaptation remains limited in Pakistan, particularly in high mountain areas. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing equitable and effective adaptation strategies. This study aims to fill this gap by examining gender-based differences in climate change perceptions and adaptations among high mountain farmers in Nagar District, Pakistan, providing insights to inform targeted policies and interventions. Data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 430 farmers at the household level using a structured survey questionnaire. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, an independent sample t-test, and a Chi-square test. The descriptive results indicate that male and female farmers do not significantly differ in their general understanding of climate change. However, the independent sample t-test reveals significant gender differences in climate change adaptation. Additionally, the Chi-square test shows a significant association between gender and climate change adaptation. These findings underscore the need for governments and non governmental organisations to formulate gender-responsive climate policies and mainstream gender in climate adaptation strategies, as well as implement tailored support programmes that address the distinct adaptation needs of male and female farmers in high mountain communities.

Infrastrutturazioni culturali nella montagna contemporanea

The cultural events held in Alpine and Apennine regions, such as festivals, gatherings, concerts, theatrical performances, and community celebrations, play a crucial role in the revitalisation and regeneration of mountain areas. These shared moments go beyond traditional cultural consumption and entertainment, often becoming key elements in the processes of renewal. The cultural events in these territories act as catalysts, bringing people together and fostering new visions of mountain life, which often spark further initiatives. Culture enables the revaluation of places and the discovery of new potential, leading to economic and social regeneration. In our work examining the regeneration of mountain areas, the interaction between the spatial dimension and cultural events has become a specific design reflection, focusing on the interconnection between spatial and cultural infrastructures. Examples include the renovation of the Casermette di Moncenisio, the spatial reactivation at Monte Ricco in Pieve di Cadore, and the transformation of existing buildings into pieces of cultural infrastructure like the Teatro Montano in Dossena. These projects highlight the importance of spatial design in supporting social and cultural revival in mountain communities.

YAK HERDING AS A LIVELIHOOD TEETERING ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION: A CASE STUDY FROM URA VILLAGE IN BHUTAN

Bumthang, a distinguished highland district in Bhutan, proudly boasts a rich legacy of yak farming – an integral practice that has sustained mountain communities across generations. Yaks, serving as fundamental livelihood assets, have provided essential resources such as food, clothing and draught power for pastoralists. Despite their historical significance, traditional yak farming has witnessed a significant decline, with the number of yak farming households plummeting from around nineteen to just one within the last two decades in Ura Gewog. The primary aim of this case study was to extract valuable insights from the last remaining yak herder regarding traditional yak farming practices. The study documents historical practices, the current state of yak farming, rangeland ownership, future perspectives and the challenges faced. The data were gathered employing a mixed-method approach, through telephone conversations and face-to-face interviews with a key informant. The findings serve not only as an anecdote of the culturally significant yak farming tradition for future generations but also as a crucial resource for policymakers making informed decisions on yak development. Despite concerns about economic viability, the herd of thirty milking yak cows sustains the livelihood of a three-member family household, generating an estimated annual gross income of Nu. 0.3 million (equivalent to USD 3,571). While there is substantial market demand for yak products, challenges such as increasing human-wildlife conflicts, labour shortages and climate change-related risks pose significant hurdles. Without strategic government interventions, making yak farming economically viable and appealing to mountain youths as a lucrative livelihood option will be challenging. Given the current circumstances, the last surviving yak herd in Ura Gewog is anticipated to vanish within a decade and in a worst-case scenario possibly even sooner. This underscores the urgent need for well-coordinated and impact-oriented government interventions to ensure the continuity and sustainability of yak farming. This article was published open access under a CC BY-NC 4.0 licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ .

High Altitude Adaptation in Livestock and Poultry: Exploring Morphological, Physiological, Biochemical and Omic Insights: A Review

High altitude environments pose unique challenges for both humans and animals, necessitating a range of adaptations for survival. Livestock species indigenous to mountainous regions, such as Yaks, Tibetan sheep, Ladakhi cattle and Himalayan goats, have evolved specialized physiological, morphological and biochemical mechanisms to cope with extreme conditions like hypobaric hypoxia, temperature fluctuations and limited forage availability. These adaptations are crucial for their survival and the livelihoods of mountain communities that depend on them for resources like milk, meat and wool. Omic studies have revolutionized our understanding of high altitude adaptation in livestock. Genomic analyses have revealed genetic signatures of adaptation, such as higher heterozygosity rates in Yaks and positive selection of genes related to energy metabolism and hypoxia response. Transcriptomics studies have uncovered gene expression patterns and pathways underlying high-altitude responses, including those related to oxygen transport, immune function and stress tolerance in sheep and goats, comparative RNA molecule analyses have identified key regulators of hypoxia adaptation and cellular metabolism. Skin transcriptomics studies have highlighted genes involved in coat color, UV protection and fiber quality adaptations. Overall, leveraging omics methods such as genomics, transcriptomics and comparative analyses provides valuable insights into the genetic, molecular and physiological basis of high altitude adaptation in livestock. These findings contribute to the development of targeted breeding strategies and sustainable management practices essential for livestock resilience and food security in mountainous regions amidst climate change challenges.

BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS AND PLAINS: MIGRATION, EMBEDDEDNESS AND BELONGING AMONG INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS IN TAIWAN

Indigenous entrepreneurship (IE) is generally considered to emerge within culturally and geographically monolithic communities, with academic literature presupposing those communities are stationary. This paper is among the first to investigate the role of migration and mobility in IE, developing an instrumental case study of Swalrawdru, a pseudonymous Rukai mountain community in Taiwan. Eight research participants were identified who migrated from the mountains to the cities of the plains when they were young and later returned to the mountains to establish a business. Through the use of a short survey and semi-structured interviews, we analyze the experiences of these Rukai entrepreneurs to consider the ways in which this mountain-plain mobility affects entrepreneurial aspirations and outcomes. In doing so, first, we challenge the dominant monolithic model in IE research. Second, we contribute to the migrant entrepreneurship (ME) literature. The Rukai entrepreneurs are embedded in mountain and plain settings, mirroring the focus within the prominent “mixed embeddedness” perspective on ethnic and non-ethnic networks and resources. However, we go beyond this focus on structural embeddedness to suggest that indigenous entrepreneurs’ aspirations and choices are inspired not by their mixed embeddedness per se, but rather by the place-belonging generated in the process of migration.

Mountain Areas and the Growing Scarcity of Essential Services: The Evolution of Retail Business Density in Mountain Municipalities in Lombardy (Italy), 2001–2021

Abstract In small mountain villages, the presence of commercial businesses plays a crucial role in the liveability of the areas and the wellbeing of inhabitants. However, these businesses – much like other services of general interest – tend to decrease in number, contributing to marginalisation of the local communities they serve and widening the gaps with more densely urbanised areas. This paper analyses the process behind the growing scarcity of retail businesses in the 509 mountain municipalities in Lombardy between 2001 and 2021. It considers the dynamics of retail density indices in terms of local units and employees in relation to the resident population, as well as outlining the different evolutionary trajectories of these mountain municipalities based on altitude, population size, and specialisation. The paper highlights how over the twenty years in question, the vast mountain area of Lombardy has seen its distribution network dwindle significantly and the number of available jobs increase modestly compared to regional trends. In addition, incidents of commercial desertification have increased, and the distribution system has often become more concentrated in the 23 mountain communities. The municipalities that have shown strong performance and growth in terms of business density are largely located in the valley, have more than 5,000 inhabitants, and have a local economy geared towards production and tourism.

Restoration of Andean Forests Using a Socioecological Approach: Case Study from the Aquia Mountain Community in Peru

Restoration of Andean Forests Using a Socioecological Approach: Case Study from the Aquia Mountain Community in Peru

A mathematical model to improve water storage of glacial lake prediction towards addressing glacial lake outburst floods

Abstract. Moraine-dammed glacial lakes (MDLs) are not only vital sources of freshwater but also a hazard to mountain communities if they drain in sudden glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Accurately measuring the water storage of these lakes is crucial to ensure sustainable use and safeguard mountain communities downstream. However, thousands of glacial lakes still lack a robust estimate of their water storages because bathymetric surveys in remote regions are difficult and expensive. Here we geometrically approximate the shape and depths of moraine-dammed lakes and provide a cost-effective model to improve lake water storage estimation. Our model uses the outline and the terrain surrounding a glacier lake as input data, assuming a parabolic lake bottom and constant hillslope angles. We initially validate our model using data from four newly surveyed glacial lakes on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Subsequently, we incorporate data from 40 additional measured lakes as a sample set to compare and evaluate the model's performance against other existing models. Our model overcomes the autocorrelation issue inherent in earlier area/depth–water storage relationships and incorporates an automated calculation process based on the topography and geometrical parameters specific to moraine-dammed lakes. Compared to other models, our model achieved the lowest average relative error of approximately 14 % when analyzing a dataset of 44 observed lakes, surpassing the > 44 % average relative error from alternative models. Finally, the model is used to calculate the water storage change in moraine-dammed lakes in the past 30 years in High-mountain Asia. The model has been proven to be robust and can be utilized to update the water storage of lake water for conducting further management of glacial lakes with the potential for outburst floods in the world.

CARPATISMELE VLAHE ÎN CULTURA CONTEMPORANĂ POLONEZĂ

Although the spread of the literary language has contributed to the gradual disappearance of some old regional terms, others, such as culturemes, have become a symbol of the identity of mountain communities and were recognized as such in other parts of Poland, sometimes “borrowed” into sociolects foreign to mountain culture. Others have become a trademark. In this paper, I analyse the contemporary function of culturemes inherited from the Vlach shepherds and the contexts in which they are used today. According to ethno-linguistic studies, we understand culturemes as synonyms of key words endowed with various meanings thanks to which the specificity of an ethnic and regional community can be understood.

Climatic Features of Mountains and Their Reflection in the Concept of Eye in English and Kyrgyz Languages.

This article explores the influence of mountainous climates on the concept of "eye" (eye/көз) in English and Kyrgyz linguistic traditions. By analyzing linguistic data, including idioms, metaphors, and cultural expressions, the study examines how the unique environmental conditions of mountainous regions shape perceptions and representations of the "eye" in both languages. The research highlights how the harsh and variable climate of mountains impacts cultural attitudes towards vision, perception, and observation, reflected in the language and symbolism associated with the eye. Through a comparative analysis, the article reveals both shared and distinct elements in the use of the eye metaphor, demonstrating the deep connection between language, environment, and cultural worldview in English and Kyrgyz mountain communities.

Potensi dan Strategi Pengembangan Budidaya Ikan Nila (Oreochromis niloticus) di Kota Kabupaten Puncak Jaya Papua Tengah

Since 2016, tilapia fish farming has begun to be developed in Puncak Jaya Regency, especially in several districts in the capital city of the district, including Mulia District, which is the center for developing tilapia fish farming areas. Puncak Jaya Regency is located in a mountainous area with an altitude of 500 - 4000 mbpl with an average of 2237 mbpl above sea level. These geographical conditions are obstacles that must be overcome to develop tilapia fish farming which is highly demanded and needed by the mountain community to meet their daily nutritional needs. This study aims to 1) Analyze the factors and potential of fish farming. 2) fish farming development strategies in the city of Puncak Jaya Regency. The method used was to conduct interviews with questionnaires to business actors in farming, related agencies and officials at the regional government level and the DPRD, then analyzed with IFE and EFE Analysis and to determine the strategy, a SWOT analysis was carried out. The results of the study showed 1) business actors in farming were productive age cultivators with a high school education level (33%), small business scale (40%) and production results of 100 - 250 kg / cycle (46.7%); 2) Internal and external factors that have a great influence are geographical location, government support, fish prices, consumer needs and security which are the main threat factors; 3) Development strategies to increase production by adding cultivation ponds, developing alternative artificial feed with local raw materials, assisting independent seed production and government support to overcome security threats by distributing assistance for cultivation facilities and infrastructure more evenly to all heterogeneous social groups.

Cryo-social dynamics: the interplay of glacial dynamics and socioeconomic conditions in the Shigar Valley, Karakoram, Pakistan

Mountain communities globally are experiencing increasing challenges as climate-induced glacier changes disrupt water resources and agricultural systems. The Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalayan region of Pakistan has been witnessing environmental changes over the last few decades with widespread impacts on different sectors of life. In the Shigar Valley of the Karakoram region, communities face socio-economic challenges partly attributed to changes in glacier dynamics, which directly affect water availability and agricultural productivity. This study investigates the impacts of glacial changes on community livelihoods by integrating glacier modeling with a comprehensive socioeconomic survey. Glaciological change was analyzed from 1970 to 2020 using the Open Global Glacier Model, with projections under SSP-126, SSP-370, and SSP-585 scenarios for 2020–2100. Glacier mass balance simulations driven by historical climatological data from 1970 to 2020 reveal an overall negative trend, despite shorter periods of glacier growth driven by regional hydroclimatic anomalies. Future projections indicate glacier volume could decline by over 60% under SSP-585 by 2100, compared to approximately 30% under SSP-126. A questionnaire survey was conducted across 20 villages, engaging 375 respondents to understand the extent of dependence on glacier-fed resources, migration dynamics, and adaptive strategies to socioenvironmental conditions. The findings reveal that while 42% of respondents reported high dependence on glacier-fed and snow melt, 46% are facing challenges due to irregular water supplies. These challenges have been affecting the socio-economic fabric of the community as 71% of respondents reported that migrations were driven by declining local productivity, with 66% of migration destinations being international. The communities are aware of the challenges, and they have been adopting various strategies to cope with it. These include rainfed farming (32%), adoption of drought-resistant crops (19%), and expansion into proglacial (recently deglaciated areas and areas closer to glaciers’ termini) lands (52%).

(wl-1355)-Neeche jana – Going down from Lahaul to Kullu

A couple travel by bicycle through Zanskar, Ladakh and Lahaul for four weeks in October 2024. They spend time with a roadworker crew from Jharkhand preparing to go down (‘neeche jana’) home for Diwali and the winter. They talk to a couple they have known for 15 years living in a high-up village in Lahaul. For the first time in recent memory, everyone in that village also ‘neeche ja rahe hai’ (is going down to Kullu for the winter. ‘Neeche jana’ is a growing phenomenon among nearly all people living in these remote and mountainous communities. This seasonal ‘vertical migration’ down from the high Himālaya underlines the ongoing changes linked with globalisation, roads, education, access to travel and winter accommodation.

Family as Part and Whole in Mountain Communities: The Influence of Climate and Ecology on Family Structures

This article explores the concept of family as both a part and a whole within mountain communities, focusing on how climate and ecological conditions shape family structures and dynamics. Mountain environments present unique challenges, such as harsh weather conditions, limited resources, and geographical isolation, which significantly influence the way families organize, interact, and support each other. The study examines how these environmental factors foster a collective resilience among family units, emphasizing interdependence, communal support, and adaptation strategies that are distinct to mountainous regions. By analyzing the interplay between ecological conditions and social structures, the article highlights the critical role of the environment in shaping familial relationships and communal cohesion. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how families function as both individual units and integral parts of larger social and ecological systems in mountain communities.

Assessing the Carbon Footprint of the 2024 Italian K2 Expedition: A Path Towards Sustainable High-Altitude Tourism

Often considered the most pristine natural areas, mountains are the third most important tourist destination in the world after coasts and islands, contributing significantly to the tourism sector (15–20%). Tourism is economically important for many mountain communities and is among the key drivers of economic growth in mountain regions worldwide. However, these high-altitude places are under increasing pressure from activities such as expeditions and trekking, which can contribute to the degradation of mountain ecosystems. In this study, we focused on the Italian expedition to K2 in July 2024, which celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first ascent in 1954. In particular, we assessed its environmental impact by estimating the expedition’s carbon footprint. We also discussed the different impact compared to the previous Italian expeditions. Overall, the 2024 Italian expedition to K2 had a carbon footprint of 27,654 kg CO2-eq, or 1383 kg CO2-eq per team member that flew from Italy. Air transport (i.e., the flight from Italy to Pakistan via Islamabad) was the largest source of emissions (91.7%, divided into 66.4% for passengers and 25.4% for cargo). Waste incineration was the smallest contributor (1.1%). Instead of using traditional diesel generators, the 2024 expedition used photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, eliminating further local greenhouse gas emissions. At the carbon credit price of 61.30 USD/ton of CO2 or 57.02 EUR/ton of CO2, offsetting the expedition’s emissions would cost 1695 USD or EUR 1577. This approach seems feasible and effective for mitigating the environmental impact of expeditions such as the one performed in 2024 by Italians.

Influence of Previous Coppice Management on Stand Structure and Vegetation Diversity of 9210* Habitat Beech Forests in the Central Apennines (Italy)

ABSTRACTAimsForests classified as Natura 2000 priority Habitat 9210* (Apennine beech forests with Taxus baccata and Ilex aquifolium) cover most of the European beech distribution along the Italian peninsula. Most of these forests have been coppiced for centuries until 60–70 years ago, and today, some are lapsed coppices and others in conversion to high forests. In both cases there is a lack of knowledge on the ongoing ecological dynamics, especially with regard of species composition changes, that is a base for their sustainable management.LocationCentral Apennines (Italy).MethodsWe analyzed forest structure and their impact on plant diversity from 50 plots in three sites where forests have been differently managed also in relation to their private, common or public ownership. We assessed the relationships between forest structure and understory plant diversity, applying multivariate statistical analysis and running regression models for estimating the influence of forest structure variables on species richness.ResultsWe appraised the heterogeneity of the 9210* Apennines beech forests featuring five floristic‐vegetation groups with cluster analysis in four structure stand types: lapsed coppices (LPC), coppices in conversion (CCO), two‐layer coppices (TLC) and recolonized stored coppices (RSC). The Non‐metric multidimensional scaling ordination shows that CCO, the most common structural type investigated, is not clearly related to any specific variable. The best models suggested that the mean cambial age and tree height can positively predict all dependent richness variables.ConclusionsThe structural and compositional diversities of these forests require an innovative management approach integrating silvicultural options commonly considered divergent (coppice vs. high forests) for providing new ecosystem services and socioeconomic opportunities for local mountain communities, to support biodiversity, and to increase forest resilience to natural disturbances.