Mountain Research and Development

A sunlit brook at the center of Mount Mabu forest, the largest rainforest in Southern Africa, with mossy rocks emerging from the water and lush trees and ferns surrounding it. Photo by Julian Bayliss.

In a new article, the #Afromontane Research Unit, University of the Free State, South Africa, presents the #Mozambique Mountain Initiative, a collaborative platform that brings together practitioners involved in the sustainable management of Mozambique’s mountain ecosystems: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Innovative adaptive practices in mountain communities often emerge from local resource constraints and community needs, as highlighted by Zhou and He in their contribution to this issue. In Guangming village, Yunnan, China, farmer cooperatives have succeeded in enhancing creation of value added in the local walnut trade by establishing processing facilities, such as this drying facility, in the village. The photo by Weijia Zhou shows a man shoveling walnuts in the drying room. The nuts lie in heaps on an aerated wire mesh floor resting on evenly spaced-out wooden beams; some nuts are packed in mesh bags. The room has light gray walls and a ceiling made of wooden beams.

2/2 In their guest editorial, Jörg Balsiger, Anne B. Zimmermann, João C. Azevedo, and Dietrich Schmidt-Vogt not only present the issue’s articles but also reflect on different framings of innovation and propose considering it as a multidimensional, context-specific concept: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Cover of Mountain Research and Development Vol 45, No 3, with a photo by Gusztáv Nemes showing a henhouse made of mud, wood, straw, and stones to keep the animals cool, warm, and safe. It is fitted with a solar-panel-driven door that closes automatically at sunset to keep foxes out. This is an example of hybrid innovation—merging old and new technology—found in a mountain product value chain in Hungary that was among the many mountain product value chains analyzed in one of the articles in the issue.

1/2 How can innovation contribute to sustainability in mountains? Articles in this focus issue explore the question from different angles, providing insights from China and various European mountain contexts and showcasing the diversity of the concept. Have a look: bioone.org/toc/mred/45/3

View of Valle d’Aosta from Bard Fortress. Photo by Dario Musolino. The flat valley floor with green fields, some trees, and small towns has a powerline, a highway, the river Dora Baltea, and a road running along it. It is nested between steep mountains consisting partly of forested slopes and partly of bare cliffs and rock faces. The stone roof of the fortress is visible in the foreground.

Does a circular economy lend itself as a sustainable way forward for high mountain regions? In a Delphi survey among stakeholders in Valle d’Aosta, Italy, Domenico Tassone and Dario Musolino found it would—but transitioning requires cultural change and targeted policies: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

A snowy, sunny winter scenery, with the upper station of a ski lift and some skiers the foreground and several hills with numerous wind turbines in the background. These are the wind farms of Pretul, Steinriegel, and Hochpürtschling in Styria, Austria. A total of 48 wind turbines produce 115 MW, providing approximately 75,000 households with electricity. © Schindelegger 2020

How can Alpine regions transition to renewables while preserving landscapes and open spaces? Marco Pütz and colleagues discuss the role of spatial planning and propose an agenda for future development and governance: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....
@wslresearch.bsky.social @bokuvienna.bsky.social

Social media card with a background photo of snow-covered mountains towering over a landscape of rocks, grass, and fir trees, taken by Susanne Wymann von Dach, and the following text: “Mountain Research and Development is looking for Topic Editors to join the editorial team! Apply now and help shape knowledge for sustainable mountain futures!” At the bottom right is the journal’s logo showing the upper left corner of a tilted stack of three papers, resembling a mountain range, and the text “Mountain Research and Development.”

ICYMI: We are looking for topic editors to join the team!
Help shape knowledge for sustainable mountain futures and be part of a unique, not-for-profit, community-supported scientific journal aiming for societal impact!

Find out more and apply by 24 Oct: t.ly/PAzBF

#AcademicSky #MountainsMatter

Social media card with a background photo of snow-covered mountains towering over a landscape of rocks, grass, and fir trees, taken by Susanne Wymann von Dach, and the following text: “Mountain Research and Development is looking for Topic Editors to join the editorial team! Apply now and help shape knowledge for sustainable mountain futures!” At the bottom right is the journal’s logo showing the upper left corner of a tilted stack of three papers, resembling a mountain range, and the text “Mountain Research and Development.”

We are looking for topic editors to join the team!

Help shape knowledge for sustainable mountain futures and be part of a unique, not-for-profit, community-supported scientific journal aiming for societal impact!

Find out more and apply by 24 Oct: t.ly/PAzBF

#AcademicSky #MountainsMatter

There is certainly some truth in that. At the same time, in a country where many people are poor, strengthening the economy is an important concern. The question is how you do it. This study shows that policies to promote the economy should build on and integrate existing sustainable practices.

A herder takes chauri (female yaks) up a dirt road to the designated pasture for day herding in the village of Gatlang. Photo by Dipak Raj Rai

Market-driven yak herding in Gatlang, Nepal, is threatening traditional sustainable grazing practices. Policies must recognize and integrate these traditional practices to sustain mountain ecosystems. Read the article by Indra Mani Rai and coauthors: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....
#MountainsMatter

The PRIMA project (2022–2023) included MRD Talks—online discussions between researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and businesspeople from mountain regions around the world on topics addressed in MRD articles. Read the summaries and watch the recordings: t.ly/woo_t

#MountainsMatter

Ansgar Fellendorf of UNEP presenting the PRIMA project.

This morning’s #IMC25 session on bridging science, policy, business, and practice for sustainable solutions in mountains was great for exchanging experiences and insights, including from the @unep.org/MRD/@cdeunibe.bsky.social project PRIMA. Thanks to all participants!
#SciencePolicy #ResearchImpact

MRD associate editor Susanne Wymann von Dach shares useful tips with a diverse audience of mountain researchers on how to get their papers published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Theresa Tribaldos, Managing Director of the International Mountain Society, presents the quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal Mountain Research and Development, which is published by the society.

Big thanks for yesterday’s inspiring training session and energizing networking event at #IMC25. We’re grateful for the learning and connections!

#MountainResearch #Collaboration #MountainFutures

The hands-on training session is perfect for early-career researchers and anyone looking to boost their submission management skills and their publishing success.

At the networking workshop, you can connect, share, and help shape ways to strengthen the mountain research and development community.

Two photos, the top one showing a researcher interviewing a villager in Nepal (photo by Lilian Trechsel, CDE) and the bottom one showing people networking (photo by Thriday on Unsplash). The photos illustrate the contents of the events announced in the post.

📣 Happening this afternoon/evening at #IMC25:

How to get your mountain paper published: A workshop with the editors of MRD and eco.mont
🕓 16:00–17:30 🚩 MCI – SR 303 🔗 t.ly/fJixs

IMS and MRD networking workshop, with snacks and drinks
🕓 19:15–20:45 🚩 MCI – SR 303 🔗 t.ly/GOePE

See the list of events we will be cohosting on Wednesday/Thursday here👇
www.mrd-journal.org/meet-mrds-as...

We look forward to connecting with you!

#MountainResearch #AcademicPublishing #Collaboration #MountainFutures #SustainableMountainDevelopment

Photo showing shared presentation table of the journal Mountain Research and Development and its publisher, the International Mountain Society, with flyers laid out, posters on the wall behind, and two people standing and talking next to it.

Are you at #IMC25? Come visit us at SOWI, 2nd floor!
We have a shared MRD/IMS table and are happy to chat about
- publishing your research,
- the possibility of your becoming an MRD topic editor,
- our special issue from #IMC25,
- and anything else you’d like to discuss!
#MountainsMatter

#IMC25 - WS 3.118: Innovative Approaches for Mountain Resilience: Bridging Practice, Science, and the Private Sector

Heading to #IMC25? Participate in this session to discover innovative real-world projects driving sustainable mountain development and the lessons they offer.
18 September 2025, 8:30 – 10:00 AM CEST/UTC+2, SOWI – SR 12. t.ly/g1Dba
See you in Innsbruck!
#MountainsMatter #Innovation #Sustainability

People networking in a casual setting, with refreshments. Photo by Thriday on Unsplash

Going to #IMC25 next week? Stop by for a chat! The International Mountain Society and MRD are offering a networking workshop to connect, share ideas, and help shape the future of mountain research!
17 September 2025, 7:15 – 8:45 PM CEST/UTC+2, MCI – SR 303. t.ly/GOePE
#MountainsMatter #Collaboration

#IMC25 - WS 3.132: How to get your mountain paper published in a peer-reviewed journal: A workshop with the editors of Mountain Research and Development and eco.mont

Working on a mountain paper? 📄⛰️
Join MRD’s and eco.mont’s editors at the International Mountain Conference 2025 next week for a hands-on training session on how to get your paper published.
17 September 2025, 4:00 – 5:30 PM CEST/UTC+2, MCI – SR 303. t.ly/fJixs
#IMC25 #AcademicSky #AcademicPublishing

Social media card with the following text: Meet MRD’s associate editors at the International Mountain Conference 2025! Cohosted sessions: Training Session: How to Get Your Mountain Paper Published (Session ID: WS 3.132). A hands-on training session with MRD and eco.mont editors, perfect for early-career researchers and anyone looking to boost their submission management skills and their publishing success. Networking Workshop (Session ID: PS 3.110). Offered in collaboration with the International Mountain Society, this will be the perfect opportunity to connect, share your work, and help shape ways to strengthen the mountain research and development community. Innovative Approaches for Mountain Resilience: Bridging Practice, Science, and the Private Sector (Session ID: WS 3.118). Promoting Innovations for Sustainable Development: Learnings from Pilot Activities. Explore real-world examples of innovative projects driving sustainable mountain development and the lessons learned from their implementation.Soci This text is followed by photos of MRD’s associate editors Susanne Wymann von Dach, Brigitte Portner, and Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel. At the bottom is MRD’s logo, consisting of three parts: on the left, a schematic image of three stacked sheets of paper with text lines, tilted with the top left corner pointing upwards to make them look like a mountain range; on the right, the acronym mrd in large lowercase letters; and across the bottom, the journal’s full title, Mountain Research and Development.

Heading to the International Mountain Conference 2025 in Innsbruck next week? Take the opportunity to meet MRD's associate editors! They are cohosting three sessions designed to support mountain researchers and development practitioners. Check them out: t.ly/0uOSv or 👇🏻
#MountainsMatter #IMC25

Cover of book entitled The Canadian Mountain Assessment: Walking Together to Enhance Understanding of Mountains in Canada

Just out: Ignacio Palomo’s review of “The Canadian Mountain Assessment: Walking Together to Enhance Understanding of Mountains in Canada,” by Graham McDowell, Madison Stevens, Shawn Marshall, and many others.
doi.org/10.1659/mrd....
@ucalgarypress.bsky.social
#MountainsMatter

This harvested cereal field is a site of agricultural innovation in Grisons, Switzerland: In one of the 455 value chains analyzed, a cooperative of organic cereal producers revived cereal production at high elevations up to 1600 masl by leveraging a diversity of cereal breeds, ancestral techniques, and modern standards. Photo by Emilia Schmitt

Ecological practices in European mountain product value chains are significantly associated with social innovation and collaborative governance. Policies for a green transition should be focused accordingly. Read the article by E. Schmitt et al: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....

Social media card with a background photo of snow-covered mountains towering over a landscape of rocks, grass, and fir trees, taken by Susanne Wymann von Dach, and the following text: Mountain Research and Development is looking for Topic Editors to join the editorial team! Apply now and help shape knowledge for sustainable mountain futures! Find out more: www.mrd-journal.org/topic-editors. Logo showing upper corner of tilted stack of three papers, resembling a mountain range, and text Mountain Research and Development.

We are looking for topic editors to join the team!

Help shape knowledge for sustainable mountain futures and be part of a unique, not-for-profit, community-supported scientific journal aiming for societal impact!

Find out more and apply by 24 Oct: t.ly/PAzBF

#AcademicSky #MountainsMatter

Cover of Mountain Research and Development, Volume 45, Number 2 | May 2025. The cover photo, taken by Tom Perreault, shows the Andean peatlands, or bofedales, in the community of Caripe in Sajama National Park, with snow-capped Sajama peak in the background. Bofedales provide vital pasture for llamas and alpacas. An article in this issue of Mountain Research and Development shows that community-based land tenure arrangements in these areas can support adaptive livelihoods among pastoralists by incentivizing labor migrants to return occasionally to their home communities to maintain land and animals according to customary practices.

Another issue is complete! Read about adaptive pastoralist livelihoods in the Andes, interface areas in the European Alps as a new spatial planning category, sustainability pathways for trail running in Romania, off-piste skiing and climate change in France, and more! t.ly/M6x0A

#MountainsMatter

Panoramic view of an Alpine interface area, taken from above Garmisch-Partenkirchen, looking towards Munich. Photo by Elias Günther

In their new article, Dominik Bertram and coauthors define and analyze the spatial and functional characteristics of interface areas linking mountains and lowlands in the European Alps, offering a novel spatial category for Alpine spatial development. Read the article: t.ly/NR8g5
#MountainsMatter

#IMC25 - WS 3.118: Innovative Approaches for Mountain Resilience: Bridging Practice, Science, and the Private Sector

Heading to #IMC25? Participate in this session to discover innovative real-world projects driving sustainable mountain development and the lessons they offer.
18 September 2025, 8:30 am – 10:00 am CEST/UTC+2, SOWI – SR 12. t.ly/g1Dba
See you in Innsbruck!
#MountainsMatter #Innovation #Sustainability

People chatting and networking. Photo by Thriday on Unsplash

Going to #IMC25? Stop by for a little chat!
The International Mountain Society and MRD are offering a networking workshop to connect, share ideas, and shape the future of mountain research!
17 September 2025, 7:15 pm – 8:45 pm CEST/UTC+2, MCI – SR 303. t.ly/GOePE
#MountainsMatter #Collaboration

#IMC25 - WS 3.132: How to get your mountain paper published in a peer-reviewed journal: A workshop with the editors of Mountain Research and Development and eco.mont

Got a mountain paper in the works? 📄⛰️
Join MRD’s and eco.mont’s editors at the International Mountain Conference 2025 for a hands-on training session on how to get your paper published.
17 September 2025, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm CEST/UTC+2, MCI – SR 303. t.ly/fJixs
#IMC25 #AcademicSky #AcademicPublishing

Social media card with the following text: Meet MRD’s associate editors at the International Mountain Conference 2025! Cohosted sessions: Training Session: How to Get Your Mountain Paper Published (Session ID: WS 3.132). A hands-on training session with MRD and eco.mont editors, perfect for early-career researchers and anyone looking to boost their submission management skills and their publishing success. Networking Workshop (Session ID: PS 3.110). Offered in collaboration with the International Mountain Society, this will be the perfect opportunity to connect, share your work, and help shape ways to strengthen the mountain research and development community. Innovative Approaches for Mountain Resilience: Bridging Practice, Science, and the Private Sector (Session ID: WS 3.118). Promoting Innovations for Sustainable Development: Learnings from Pilot Activities. Explore real-world examples of innovative projects driving sustainable mountain development and the lessons learned from their implementation. This text is followed by photos of MRD’s associate editors Susanne Wymann von Dach, Brigitte Portner, and Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel. At the bottom is MRD’s logo, consisting of three parts: on the left, a schematic image of three stacked sheets of paper with text lines, tilted with the top left corner pointing upwards to make them look like a mountain range; on the right, the acronym mrd in large lowercase letters; and across the bottom, the journal’s full title, Mountain Research and Development.

Heading to the International Mountain Conference 2025 in Innsbruck? MRD is cohosting three sessions designed to support mountain researchers and development practitioners. Check them out: t.ly/0uOSv or 👇🏻
#MountainsMatter #IMC25

Call for papers: Collaborative Research for Sustainable Mountain Futures—Special Issue from the International Mountain Conference 2025. Send us your notice of ntent by 15 June 2025 and submit your paper by 15 October 2025! With photo by Wolfgang Gurgiser of Huaraz and surroundings in the Peruvian Andes—one of the world’s many mountain regions facing unprecedented change. And with logos of Mountain Research and Development and the International Mountain Conference in Innsbruck, 2025.

🔔1 week left to send your notice of intent!
Are you going to #IMC2025? We invite papers emerging from recent research collaborations across different disciplines, experiences, and geographic and cultural perspectives that will be presented at the conference. Read the full call for papers: t.ly/0MkKb