Alpine biodiversity in Europe

The United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 initiated numerous programs focused on assessing, managing, and conserving the earth's biological diversity. A significant topic was the mountain environment, particularly the alpine zone, which consists of treeless regions at high altitudes. Despite its small land coverage, the alpine zone is home to a diverse array of plants, animals, fungi, and microbes uniquely adapted to cold conditions. This region is crucial for global biodiversity and provides essential resources for both mountain and lowland inhabitants. However, human-induced changes such as soil erosion, habitat loss, genetic diversity decline, and climate change threaten these ecosystems. The European Community Biodiversity Strategy emphasizes that the global loss of biodiversity and the interdependence of species and ecosystems necessitate coordinated international efforts. Effective biodiversity management requires a solid understanding of its qualitative and quantitative aspects at various scales. This is especially vital for mountains, which are significant biodiversity hotspots both in absolute terms and when compared to surrounding lowlands.