The Chakhama Valley, a remote area in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, was badly damaged by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck India and Pakistan on 8 October 2005. More than 5% of the population lost their lives, and about 90% of the existing housing was irreparably damaged or completely destroyed. In early 2006, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) initiated a multisector, community-driven reconstruction program in the Chakhama Valley on the premise that the scale of the disaster required a response that would address all aspects of people's lives. One important aspect covered the promotion of disaster risk management for sustainable recovery in a safe environment. Accordingly, prevailing hazards (rockfalls, landslides, and debris flow, in addition to earthquake hazards) and existing risks were thoroughly assessed, and the information was incorporated into the main planning processes. Hazard maps, detailed site investigations, and proposals for precautionary measures assisted engineers in supporting the reconstruction of private homes in safe locations to render investments disaster resilient. The information was also used for community-based land use decisions and disaster mitigation and preparedness. The work revealed three main problems: (1) thorough assessment of hazards and incorporation of this assessment into planning processes is time consuming and often little understood by the population directly affected, but it pays off in the long run; (2) relocating people out of dangerous places is a highly sensitive issue that requires the support of clear and forceful government policies; and (3) the involvement of local communities is essential for the success of mitigation and preparedness.

Humla, situated in the north-western corner of Nepal on the border with China, is one of the poorest and least developed districts of Nepal. Constraints are imposed by low agricultural productivity in mountainous terrain under harsh climatic conditions. Food subsidies and other forms of external support have created a state of dependency, stifling local initiative and reducing reliance on local resources. Development efforts were hampered until recently by the Maoist insurgency. It was under such conditions that “Humla Development Initiatives” was formed to identify problems by conducting a needs assessment and work out solutions in close cooperation with local communities. Introducing improved water mills, promoting local food to substitute for subsidized rice, and cultivating nontimber forest products (NTFPs) on marginal farmland are some of the activities recently carried out to increase food security while reducing dependency on external support. Future activities include the establishment of community-based monitoring systems and cooperatives as the basis for the sustainability of the program as well as for transferring ownership to the villagers.

Underutilized plant species play a fundamental role in the livelihoods of poor communities living in harsh environments such as mountain areas, although they only have a small share in production and trade. Emmer (Triticum dicoccon) is a typical example of an underutilized species suitable for development in mountain areas; it is important for food security and cultural value and has a very limited market share. This paper investigates the state of the market for emmer in mountainous areas in Turkey, where it is still produced. As is the case for many underutilized species, emmer is disappearing due to low yield compared to modern cereal varieties. Emmer is still grown in Turkey's mountains because of its hardiness and place in local food traditions; however, its competitiveness and persistence may be at risk because of changes in taste and the increased impact of global and regional markets.

We examine the role of emmer production on mountain community livelihoods in Turkey and review potential market opportunities that may enhance the competitiveness of this underutilized crop, as happened, for example, in Italy. We surveyed market chain actors in Kastamonu and Sinop provinces in the Black Sea region, where few other crops are profitable because of poor soils. In Sinop province, emmer is less used and not marketed; in Kastamonu province, it is marketed and appreciated in local food traditions. Difficulties in processing, limited marketing, and lack of consumer demand are key factors in the decline of emmer cultivation. Despite emmer's adaptability to poor soils and its low input requirements, lack of market opportunities is a key factor restraining its revival and maintenance. However, there is a new market potential associated with emmer's nutritional and health properties; with growing appreciation by niche consumers, opportunities to maintain this valuable species are emerging.

Little qualitative and quantitative information is available on bamboo and cane ecology and management. Harvesting of these two nonwood forest products (NWFPs) takes place on a substantial scale, exacerbated by commercialization, thereby exerting pressure on supply with a significant detrimental impact on the species. This article examines the resource availability of bamboo, Neomicrocalamus andropogonifolius, and cane, Calamus acanthospathus, their role in the subsistence economy, traditional knowledge, postharvest practices, and species vulnerability to commercialization at Bjoka, Zhemgang, in central Bhutan. The gross commercial growing stock of bamboo is estimated at 1924 m³. Based on artisans' knowledge, gross commercial cane stock is an estimated 16–27 metric tons. Annual supply declined for the period 1995–2003. Bamboo and cane account for 66% of gross annual household income and are economically profitable. Specialization in the manufacture of high-quality finished bamboo and cane products helps to combat food insecurity in these rural areas with limited road and market infrastructure. Transactions with middlemen are important but lead to artisans being underpaid because the latter have limited access to markets. Bamboo and cane craft items are used for a variety of domestic, agricultural, and commercial purposes. Driven by commercialization, traditional management concentrates on harvesting without adequate regeneration, resulting in adverse impacts on species' survival. Vulnerability status with overall rankings of 22 and 32 indicates moderate and high vulnerability for bamboo and cane, respectively. Young people are less skillful in high-quality craftsmanship. Training schemes are needed to improve quality, promote sustainable harvesting, and preserve this unique cultural heritage. Further studies and policy and management are required to conserve and properly utilize these resources ecologically, while sustaining local enterprises economically.

We studied the effect of new types of slow-release micronutrient fertilizers on crop production in the Himalaya. These were biorelease fertilizers of zinc, iron, manganese, copper, boron, and molybdenum synthesized in a laboratory. Trials were conducted at Pithoragarh (1240 m), Kumaon Himalaya, with radish (Raphanus sativus) followed by amaranthus (residual effect; Amaranthus blitum), and at Auli (2900 m), Garhwal Himalaya, with cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) and thereafter lahi (residual effect; Brassica rugosa). Increases in yields of radish of 61% and increases in its vitamin C content by 105% were observed with low dosages of micronutrients. The yield of cabbage also increased by 98%, and its vitamin C content increased by 46%. In the residual effect trial, lahi (a leafy vegetable) produced a remarkable 164% increase in yield that was statistically significant at a 1% level. Overall, the data suggest that biorelease fertilizers are very effective at low dosages. They would be particularly suitable for crop production in mountainous regions.

The Atacora Mountain range is an important mountain chain in the West African landscape. It extends from northern Benin to Togo and Ghana. More and more cattle are starting to graze on the Beninese part of this range, although there is a critical lack of basic data on its ecological function. The present study assesses the effects of topography and aspect on the grassland biomass production of these mountains. The results show that annual grassland biomass production averages 5.29 tonnes dry matter (DM)/ha. This biomass production is significantly impacted by aspect (east facing versus west facing). Biomass is lower on east-facing sides (4.97 tonnes DM/ha) than on west-facing sides (6.10 tonnes DM/ha) and hilltops and valleys (6.24 tonnes DM/ha). This effect may be explained by direct exposure of east-facing sides to the harmattan, a northeast dry wind blowing from the Sahara Desert. No significant impact of topography on biomass production is observed.

Transhumance, the seasonal movement of herds occurring between two points and following precise routes repeated each year, is practiced on a broad scale in the open field areas of Tigray (North Ethiopia). This article presents a characterization of the practice, factors that explain its magnitude, and recent changes. Eleven villages were selected randomly, semistructured interviews were conducted, and data on the sites were collected both in the field and from secondary sources. The transhumance destination zones are characterized as better endowed with water and fodder resources, essentially due to their great extent. The sample villages can be classified into three groups: annual transhumance (average one-way traveling distance 8.1 km), home range herding (average traveling distance 2.2 km), and keeping livestock near homesteads. Movements are basically induced by the fact that there is little to no space for livestock near the villages during the crop-growing period—not by the significantly different temperature or rainfall conditions in the grazing lands. Adults will only herd the flocks when the distance for transhumance is great or considered unsafe; otherwise, young boys tend the livestock for the entire summer rainy season. Faced with social (schooling) and technological (reservoir construction and establishment of exclosures) changes, transhumance in Tigray has adjusted in a highly adaptive way, with new routes being developed and others abandoned. Transhumance does not lead to major conflicts in the study area even when livestock are brought to areas that belong to other ethnic groups (Afar, Amhara).

Land cover change studies examine the status of land to explain physiographic and socio-economic processes, causes and effects, and environmental implications. The present paper relates land cover change in a food-insecure catchment to development of gullies, particularly their position in the landscape as well as the history of gully formation. Maps were produced for 1965, 1972, 1986, and 2000 from aerial photographs and satellite images. The conversion of tree and shrub cover to cultivation was observed pre-1986; the critical period for gully development in the catchment was 1974–1985. Land cover change thus contributed to gully erosion. An integrated recovery policy is required to restore the catchment to useful productivity.

The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) is a university-based institution that conducts resource- and people-centered research activities for development and policy advice in Switzerland and abroad, guided by a sustainable development approach. Many of the Centre's programs and mandates include a mountain or highland–lowland component; they are presented below. CDE is part of the Institute of Geography at the University of Bern, Switzerland and is the lead institution for the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South.

The Carpathian Mountains in Europe are a biodiversity hot spot; harbor many relatively undisturbed ecosystems; and are still rich in seminatural, traditional landscapes. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Carpathians have experienced widespread land use change, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Climate change, as an additional driver, may increase the effect of such changes in the future. Based on a workshop organized by the Science for the Carpathians network, this paper reviews the current status of global change research in the Carpathians, identifies knowledge gaps, and suggests avenues for future research.