Publications
Journal Articles
4.
McDowell, Graham; Stevens, Madison; Lesnikowski, Alexandra; Huggel, Christian; Harden, Alexandra; DiBella, Jose; Morecroft, Michael; Kumar, Praveen; Joe, Elphin Tom; Bhatt, Indra D.; Initiative, Global Adaptation Mapping
Closing the Adaptation Gap in Mountains Journal Article
In: Mountain Research and Development, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. A1, 2021, ISSN: 0276-4741.
Abstract | Links | Tags: adaptation, climate change, gaps, limits, Mountains
@article{McDowell2021,
title = {Closing the Adaptation Gap in Mountains},
author = {Graham McDowell and Madison Stevens and Alexandra Lesnikowski and Christian Huggel and Alexandra Harden and Jose DiBella and Michael Morecroft and Praveen Kumar and Elphin Tom Joe and Indra D. Bhatt and Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative},
url = {https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-41/issue-3/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1/Closing-the-Adaptation-Gap-in-Mountains/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1.full https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-41/issue-3/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1/Closing-the-Adaptation-Gap-in-Mountains/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1.short},
doi = {10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-21-00033.1},
issn = {0276-4741},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-10-01},
journal = {Mountain Research and Development},
volume = {41},
number = {3},
pages = {A1},
publisher = {International Mountain Society},
abstract = {Over 1 billion people are living at the frontlines of climate change in mountain areas, where warming rates outpace the global average and are driving significant changes in environments and ecosystem services. These changes are exacerbating socioeconomic difficulties faced by many mountain communities, and are already intensifying vulnerabilities across mountain areas globally. The situation is indicative of pervasive and consequential deficits in adaptation, and calls attention to the need for a better understanding of existing adaptation efforts, as well as the prospects for increasing the quantity and quality of adaptation action in mountain regions. In response, this MountainAgenda article introduces a conceptual framework for adaptation gaps. It then uses data from 2 major global-scale adaptation reviews to shed light on the nature and true magnitude of the adaptation gap in mountains. It reveals shortcomings in available adaptation options, deficits in the uptake of existing adaptation support, and a general lack of coherence between existing adaptations and keystone global agreements relevant to climate change adaptation. These shortcomings are largely related to soft limits to adaptation that constrain responses across mountain areas. In this article, we provide recommendations for closing the adaptation gap in mountains and suggest that this will require deeply collaborative efforts that are rooted in local needs, aspirations, and ways of knowing, but that are also supported by external capacity building and implementation resources. In many instances, this will resemble a transformative approach to adaptation. The conceptual framework presented here is broadly applicable and can also be utilized to identify and close adaptation gaps in social-ecological contexts beyond mountains.},
keywords = {adaptation, climate change, gaps, limits, Mountains},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Over 1 billion people are living at the frontlines of climate change in mountain areas, where warming rates outpace the global average and are driving significant changes in environments and ecosystem services. These changes are exacerbating socioeconomic difficulties faced by many mountain communities, and are already intensifying vulnerabilities across mountain areas globally. The situation is indicative of pervasive and consequential deficits in adaptation, and calls attention to the need for a better understanding of existing adaptation efforts, as well as the prospects for increasing the quantity and quality of adaptation action in mountain regions. In response, this MountainAgenda article introduces a conceptual framework for adaptation gaps. It then uses data from 2 major global-scale adaptation reviews to shed light on the nature and true magnitude of the adaptation gap in mountains. It reveals shortcomings in available adaptation options, deficits in the uptake of existing adaptation support, and a general lack of coherence between existing adaptations and keystone global agreements relevant to climate change adaptation. These shortcomings are largely related to soft limits to adaptation that constrain responses across mountain areas. In this article, we provide recommendations for closing the adaptation gap in mountains and suggest that this will require deeply collaborative efforts that are rooted in local needs, aspirations, and ways of knowing, but that are also supported by external capacity building and implementation resources. In many instances, this will resemble a transformative approach to adaptation. The conceptual framework presented here is broadly applicable and can also be utilized to identify and close adaptation gaps in social-ecological contexts beyond mountains.
3.
Aggarwal, Anubha; Frey, Holger; McDowell, Graham; Drenkhan, Fabian; Nüsser, Marcus; Racoviteanu, Adina; Hoelzle, Martin
Adaptation to climate change induced water stress in major glacierized mountain regions Journal Article
In: pp. 1–13, 2021, ISSN: 17565537.
Abstract | Links | Tags: adaptation, cryosphere, Limitation, Mountains, Water stress
@article{Aggarwal2021,
title = {Adaptation to climate change induced water stress in major glacierized mountain regions},
author = {Anubha Aggarwal and Holger Frey and Graham McDowell and Fabian Drenkhan and Marcus Nüsser and Adina Racoviteanu and Martin Hoelzle},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17565529.2021.1971059},
doi = {10.1080/17565529.2021.1971059},
issn = {17565537},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-09-01},
urldate = {2021-09-01},
booktitle = {Climate and Development},
pages = {1--13},
publisher = {Taylor & Francis},
abstract = {Mountains are a critical source of water. Cryospheric and hydrological changes in combination with socio-economic development are threatening downstream water security triggering the need for effective adaptation responses. Here, we present a global systematic review (83 peer-reviewed articles) that assesses different water-related stressors and the adaptation responses to manage water stress in major glaciated mountain regions. Globally, agriculture (42%), tourism (12%), hydropower (8%) and health and safety (4%) are among the main sectors affected by hydrological and cryospheric changes. A broad set of adaptation measures has already been implemented in the world's mountain regions. We find that globally the most commonly used adaptation practices correspond to the improvement of water storage infrastructure (13%), green infrastructure (9.5%), agricultural practices (17%), water governance and policies (21%), disaster risk reduction (9.5%) and economic diversification (10%). Successful implementation of adaptation measures is limited by reduced stakeholder capacities, collaboration and financial resources, and policies and development. To overcome these limitations, funding for climate change adaptation and development programmes in mountains and trust-building measures such as shared stakeholder activities need to be strengthened. Local awareness raising of both, the adverse effects of climate change and potentially positive implications of specific adaptation measures can help to support successful adaptation.},
keywords = {adaptation, cryosphere, Limitation, Mountains, Water stress},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Mountains are a critical source of water. Cryospheric and hydrological changes in combination with socio-economic development are threatening downstream water security triggering the need for effective adaptation responses. Here, we present a global systematic review (83 peer-reviewed articles) that assesses different water-related stressors and the adaptation responses to manage water stress in major glaciated mountain regions. Globally, agriculture (42%), tourism (12%), hydropower (8%) and health and safety (4%) are among the main sectors affected by hydrological and cryospheric changes. A broad set of adaptation measures has already been implemented in the world's mountain regions. We find that globally the most commonly used adaptation practices correspond to the improvement of water storage infrastructure (13%), green infrastructure (9.5%), agricultural practices (17%), water governance and policies (21%), disaster risk reduction (9.5%) and economic diversification (10%). Successful implementation of adaptation measures is limited by reduced stakeholder capacities, collaboration and financial resources, and policies and development. To overcome these limitations, funding for climate change adaptation and development programmes in mountains and trust-building measures such as shared stakeholder activities need to be strengthened. Local awareness raising of both, the adverse effects of climate change and potentially positive implications of specific adaptation measures can help to support successful adaptation.
2.
Shahgedanova, Maria; Adler, Carolina; Gebrekirstos, Aster; Grau, H. Ricardo; Huggel, Christian; Marchant, Robert; Pepin, Nicholas; Vanacker, Veerle; Viviroli, Daniel; Vuille, Mathias
Mountain Observatories: Status and Prospects for Enhancing and Connecting a Global Community Journal Article
In: Mountain Research and Development, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. A1, 2021, ISSN: 0276-4741.
Abstract | Links | Tags: climate change, data networks, elevation gradients, GEO Mountains, long-term monitoring, Mountains, Paleoenvironments, remote sensing
@article{Shahgedanova2021,
title = {Mountain Observatories: Status and Prospects for Enhancing and Connecting a Global Community},
author = {Maria Shahgedanova and Carolina Adler and Aster Gebrekirstos and H. Ricardo Grau and Christian Huggel and Robert Marchant and Nicholas Pepin and Veerle Vanacker and Daniel Viviroli and Mathias Vuille},
url = {https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-41/issue-2/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1/Mountain-Observatories--Status-and-Prospects-for-Enhancing-and-Connecting/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1.full https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-41/issue-2/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1/Mountain-Observatories--Status-and-Prospects-for-Enhancing-and-Connecting/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1.short},
doi = {10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00054.1},
issn = {0276-4741},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-06-01},
journal = {Mountain Research and Development},
volume = {41},
number = {2},
pages = {A1},
publisher = {International Mountain Society},
abstract = {Mountainous regions are globally important, in part because they support large populations and are biodiverse. They are also characterized by enhanced vulnerability to anthropogenic pressures and sensitivity to climate change. This importance necessitates the development of a global reference network of long-term environmental and socioeconomic monitoring—mountain observatories. At present, monitoring is limited and unevenly distributed across mountain regions globally. Existing thematic networks do not fully support the generation of multidisciplinary knowledge required to inform decisions, enact drivers of sustainable development, and safeguard against losses. In this paper, the Mountain Observatories Working Group, established by the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) Science Leadership Council, identifies geographical and thematic gaps as well as recent advances in monitoring of relevant biophysical and socioeconomic variables in the mountains. We propose principles and ways of connecting existing initiatives, supporting emerging areas, and developing new mountain observatory networks regionally and, eventually, globally. Particularly in the data-poor regions, we aspire to build a community of researchers and practitioners in collaboration with the Global Network on Observations and Information in Mountain Environments, Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Mountains, a GEO Work Programme Initiative.},
keywords = {climate change, data networks, elevation gradients, GEO Mountains, long-term monitoring, Mountains, Paleoenvironments, remote sensing},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Mountainous regions are globally important, in part because they support large populations and are biodiverse. They are also characterized by enhanced vulnerability to anthropogenic pressures and sensitivity to climate change. This importance necessitates the development of a global reference network of long-term environmental and socioeconomic monitoring—mountain observatories. At present, monitoring is limited and unevenly distributed across mountain regions globally. Existing thematic networks do not fully support the generation of multidisciplinary knowledge required to inform decisions, enact drivers of sustainable development, and safeguard against losses. In this paper, the Mountain Observatories Working Group, established by the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) Science Leadership Council, identifies geographical and thematic gaps as well as recent advances in monitoring of relevant biophysical and socioeconomic variables in the mountains. We propose principles and ways of connecting existing initiatives, supporting emerging areas, and developing new mountain observatory networks regionally and, eventually, globally. Particularly in the data-poor regions, we aspire to build a community of researchers and practitioners in collaboration with the Global Network on Observations and Information in Mountain Environments, Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Mountains, a GEO Work Programme Initiative.
1.
McDowell, Graham; Harris, Leila; Koppes, Michele; Price, Martin F; Chan, Kai M A; Lama, Dhawa G
From needs to actions: prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities Journal Article
In: Climatic Change, vol. 163, no. 2, pp. 953–972, 2020, ISSN: 15731480.
Abstract | Links | Tags: adaptation, climate change, Himalayas, Mountains, Nepal, UNFCCC
@article{McDowell2020b,
title = {From needs to actions: prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities},
author = {Graham McDowell and Leila Harris and Michele Koppes and Martin F Price and Kai M A Chan and Dhawa G Lama},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-020-02920-1},
doi = {10.1007/s10584-020-02920-1},
issn = {15731480},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-11-01},
journal = {Climatic Change},
volume = {163},
number = {2},
pages = {953--972},
publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media B.V.},
abstract = {Adaptation needs in high mountain communities are increasingly well documented, yet most efforts to address these needs continue to befall mountain people who have contributed little to the problem of climate change. This situation represents a contravention of accepted norms of climate justice and calls attention to the need for better understanding of prospects for externally resourced adaptation initiatives in high mountain areas. In response, this paper examines the architecture of formal adaptation support mechanisms organized through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and how such mechanisms might help to meet adaptation needs in high mountain communities. It outlines key global adaptation initiatives organized through the UNFCCC, clarifies idealized linkages between these global adaptation initiatives and meeting local adaptation needs, and evaluates actual progress in connecting such support with discrete adaptation needs in the upper Manaslu region of Nepal. The paper then critically examines observed shortcomings in matching adaptation support organized through the UNFCCC with local adaptation needs, including complications stemming from the bureaucratic nature of formal adaptation support mechanisms, the intervening role of the state in delivering aid, and the ways in which these complexities intersect with the specific socio-cultural contexts of mountain communities. It concludes by highlighting several prospects for increasing the quantity and quality of adaptation support to mountain communities. These opportunities are considered alongside several salient concerns about formal adaptation support mechanisms in an effort to provide a well-rounded assessment of the prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities.},
keywords = {adaptation, climate change, Himalayas, Mountains, Nepal, UNFCCC},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Adaptation needs in high mountain communities are increasingly well documented, yet most efforts to address these needs continue to befall mountain people who have contributed little to the problem of climate change. This situation represents a contravention of accepted norms of climate justice and calls attention to the need for better understanding of prospects for externally resourced adaptation initiatives in high mountain areas. In response, this paper examines the architecture of formal adaptation support mechanisms organized through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and how such mechanisms might help to meet adaptation needs in high mountain communities. It outlines key global adaptation initiatives organized through the UNFCCC, clarifies idealized linkages between these global adaptation initiatives and meeting local adaptation needs, and evaluates actual progress in connecting such support with discrete adaptation needs in the upper Manaslu region of Nepal. The paper then critically examines observed shortcomings in matching adaptation support organized through the UNFCCC with local adaptation needs, including complications stemming from the bureaucratic nature of formal adaptation support mechanisms, the intervening role of the state in delivering aid, and the ways in which these complexities intersect with the specific socio-cultural contexts of mountain communities. It concludes by highlighting several prospects for increasing the quantity and quality of adaptation support to mountain communities. These opportunities are considered alongside several salient concerns about formal adaptation support mechanisms in an effort to provide a well-rounded assessment of the prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities.