Publications
In 2002, as a follow up of the III Mainland Montane South East Asia (MMSEA) Conference on Indigenous Knowledge, Biodiversity and Local Governance in Mountain Areas of SE-Asia in Lijiang, China, 15 of the participants from Vietnam, Lao PDR, Thailand and SW-China established a regional network to support the retention and revitalization of Indigenous Knowledge within ethnic communities. The network...
Seasonal or persistent snow is a feature of polar and alpine areas of the Earth. In spring and summer, the snow can have coloured patches caused by concentrations of microorganisms, mostly algae-single celled plants. Snow algae have complex life cycles including motile and resistant resting stages and involving both sexual and asexual reproduction which are tied to the physical and chemical...
The purpose of this paper is to explain to all who love the mountains the different bands of vegetation that characterise the mountain as one climbs to the top. There may be those who see the mountains as one mass of plants species mixed in helter skelter fashion. In addition, the author aims to explain the species adaptation to various montane ecosystem zones and explain the values of and...
The Mountains of High Africa allowed Africans to be Africans long before the struggle for independence. The dynastic kingdoms of the Highlands of Ethiopia prevailed for centuries and it was the only part of Africa that was not really colonized. Not even the scorching sands of the Sahara and its general inhospitality could keep the colonizers out, as did the mountains. More recently, when the sea...
When a few years ago Redlands Aggregates proposed to quarry out a small hill in Harris to produce materials for road building, there was an outcry from many quarters against such a move. After many hearings, inquiries and submissions, Redlands backed down and the Harris hill was saved. Things work in different ways on the other side of the Atlantic, in the USA, where big business and...
Ststistics on population (2001) for Peru.
One of South America's most endangered forest ecosystems is the Polylepis forests (los bosques de kehuiña) in the Andean highlands. In Bolivia only about 650 km2 of Polylepis is left - down from an estimated potential distribution of 40.000 km2. The highland forests serves as important water catchment areas by "combing" humidity out of clouds and fog, and by accumulating...
The timberline zone in the Himalaya is a cradle of high temperate and low alpine biodiversity elements. It is a rich repository of highly sensitive elements which are of considerable biological and economic value. Among others, these include endemic, endangered, medicinal and edibles plant species. In view of the unique diversity of its biological components, representativeness, susceptibility to...
Swidden cultivation is not new to researchers and policy makers on sustainable development in mountainous areas. The relationship between ecological and cultivation systems on sloping lands was dealt with in many studies and surveys made by scientists. However, it has been rarely mentioned on the relationship of cropping systems and cultivating techniques with primary and secondary ecosystems,...
As the dew is dried up by the morning sun, So are the sins of humankind by the sight of the Himalayas.- Hindu proverbThe above maxim which originated in the Hindu puranas, the religious scriptures in the Indian subcontinent, is as old as the mountains are. It clearly depicts the high place accorded to the Himalayas, high mountains. Perhaps such a maxim would also be found in other languages and...