The Effect of Climate Change on Mountains and Surrounding Wildlife

By: Jennifer Phelps

Mountainous ecosystems are particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures in mountainous climates, the melting of glaciers and early disappearance of winter snowfall during the spring, are often regarded as significant and ominous indicators of dramatic changes which are likely to play an important role in our future world. Climate change in mountainous regions not only has an effect on micro-climatic temperatures, but also has a huge influence on surrounding low land areas. Mountain ranges can also play an important role in stabilising the global environment. This article explores four major threats to sustainable mountain development, highlighting important areas for further research and suggesting sustainable courses of action which can be taken.

The effect of climate change on mountainous wildlife

Mountains peaks and ranges are often isolated areas with a microclimate which is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. These specific climates and habitats often harbour particularly niche organisms and wildlife, with adaptations which are specifically adapted to the surrounding environment. Therefore imbalances and changes in the ecosystem can have a dramatic effect on a local habitat, even eradicating local mountain species. The mountain dwelling American Pika, is one species of rabbit which has been closely monitored in its response to climate change. Studies show population numbers are sensitive to even the most subtle climatic changes. The importance of understanding the full functions of an ecosystem are essential when addressing its response to climate change. Several studies on top mountainous predators such as wolves have shown the important role they play in stabilising an ecosystem, leaving behind food for scavengers in times of low resources. Before implementing any sustainable development plan it is essential to conduct research into the key species within an ecosystem and how they are affected by climate change and development.

Farming and local agriculture

Global warming has a dramatic effect on farming and agriculture in mountainous regions. As global temperatures continue to rise, climate change has a huge impact on areas in which snow melt dominates the local hydrology, playing an important role in controlling the aridity of local soil levels. Areas affected by early snow melt and reduced glacier size are severely vulnerable to the consequences of reduced runoff in the spring and growing seasons. In the Andean region of Cotacachi, Ecuador, the Cotacahian glacier has vanished almost entirely, resulting in reduced water in rivers, streams and drainage trenches. Farmers have had to make planting and sowing decisions based on unpredictable aridity, relying on rainfall for the majority of their water. In larger mountainous areas such as the Andes, mountain ranges provide the water for wide reaching areas of land. The upstream affects of mountainous climate change begin to accumulate downstream, resulting in changes in seasonal hydrology across large agricultural areas.  

The importance of slow water runoff for controlled drinking supply

More than 1 billion people around the world rely on snow and glacial melt as a source of drinking and living water. As the seasonal aridity of mountainous regions is affected by climate change, it is essential that we are able to adapt our water consumption in a way which is sustainable according to the changing availability of water in our local environment. Average water usage, for a home with a constant water supply is over 100 litres per person per day. One primary task of sustainable mountain development must be to ensure that anthropogenic water usage does not put further strain on the surrounding environment and its ability to respond to climate change. Both research and education are essential in order to allow people to use this resource both wisely and responsibly.

The financial effect on human habitation

As crops fail and livestock diminish, people around the world have seen their livelihoods affected as a result of mountainous climate change. Furthermore, for people living in mountainous areas, climate change can often necessitate people to relocate. We are already seeing the effects of extreme weather, storms, flash flooding and avalanches, in regions across all altitudes. Flash flooding in the Philippines in 2012 caused hundreds deaths and thousands of people had to relocate, losing their homes and all their assets in the process. Unseasonal heavy rainfall is likely to cause dangerous if not catastrophic landslides. Even in first world nations thousands of locations around the world are at risk from extreme weather, and millions of people could lose all their homes and belongings in the process. A comparison of local business and housing insurers demonstrates that only a minority number of insurers protect against climate related disasters. As climate change severely causes us to adapt our cultural geography we need to make sure we are ready and financially adapted to this challenge.