Mountain biodiversity: global warming must be reduced

The 2015 Paris Agreement plans to limit global warming to 1.5°C and 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This could favor the protection of mountain mammals. Researchers have recently analyzed the situation of carnivores and mountain ungulates in 2050. A projection into the future of their climatic niches that allow the survival of a specific species. 

The findings of the study say that meeting the Paris Agreement commitments would decrease climate instability for upland species. Capping global warming at 1.5 degrees would decrease the probability of niche contraction by 4%. The mountains have always represented a refuge for many species during the climatic changes of the past. They may also be in the future. Species already at risk, however, require further conservation measures. 

Protecting mountain biodiversity will therefore require both a strong climate mitigation policy and rapid conservation interventions targeting already vulnerable species . Furthermore, targeted actions for more sustainable land use should be part of international policies to preserve tropical mountains, especially in Africa, Southeast Asia and South America. These are in fact the areas of the world with the highest mountain biodiversity, but also those that face the greatest challenges in terms of development and population growth.

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Chiara Dragonetti, scholar

If the Paris agreement is not reached, there will be serious risks for biodiversity and for the delicate ecosystem balances of the mountains.