Welcome to GMBA
The Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA) is a cross-cutting network of DIVERSITAS with the task to explore and explain the great biological richness of the mountains of the world.
2010-07-05GMBA/GBIF Mountain Biodiversity Portal online!
The latest project of GMBA, to provide a Mountain Biodiversity Portal, in collaboration with Global Biodiversity Information Facility GBIF, is now available.
You can now explore GBIFs biodiversity data for the mountains of the world virtually on an interactive map, and search mountain areas from region to globe, or select mountain life zones by range of elevation or thermal belts. Mountain areas are defined by ruggedness of terrain, using WORLDCLIM digital elevation data.
You are welcome to visit the Portal at www.mountainbiodiversity.org or to see a demo video
2010-07-05Workshop: Open access to and publishing of mountain biodiversity data from the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region
From June 14-18 2010, GMBA, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) jointly organised a workshop and hands on training on 'Open access to and publishing of mountain biodiversity data from the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region'. The workshop focused on 1) bringing the eight countries that share the region together to discuss the opportunity that the GBIF infrastructure and framework represents for primary biodiversity data discovery, publishing, and use in the region, 2) strengthening the capacity of biodiversity researchers and data publishers from the region to find, digitize, and publish biodiversity data by adopting GBIF promoted tools, standards and processes; and 3) developing a framework and the partnerships needed for continuous promotion of easy and open access to standardised and harmonised biodiversity information on the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region.
The participants used the opportunity provided by the GBIF/GMBA global platform to publish, harvest, and use biodiversity data from the region.
Download the press release here (PDF, 28 KB)
2010-07-05ForumAlpinum 2010: Metropolises and „their“ Alps
Munich, Germany, October 6 – 9, 2010
Under the motto of Metropolises and "their" Alps and in the context of the current EU-wide discussion of macro-regions and spatial policy, the 2010 ForumAlpinum will explore the relationship between the Alps and large adjacent cities from scientific and political angles. Plenary talks and workshops will focus on topics such as urbanisation, mobility, biodiversity, climate change and geo-resources. The ForumAlpinum 2010 will culminate in a discussion uniting mayors from cities along the Alpine Arc and emissaries from Alpine regions, the EU and the Alpine Convention to address essential requirements and perspectives for joint strategies in view of a European macro-region including the Alpine Arc.
Programme, information and registration: http://www.forumalpinum.org/2010/e
2010-07-05VIIth European Mountain Convention: European Mountain Regions – A spirit of innovation
Lillehammer, Norway, 15-17 September 2010
Gathering high-level European, national, regional and local key stakeholders, scientists and entrepreneurs the European Mountain Convention is a biannual conference that is taking place for the seventh time since 1998. During 2,5 days, the participants discuss important issues related to sustainable development in mountain areas and communities and exchange their experiences.
Registration will be open online from 15 May to 15 August 2010.
Get more information here
2010-07-05Conference: Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalayas
Kathmandu, Nepal, December 12-14, 2010
The ICBLCC-2010 is expected to discuss issues related to biodiversity and climate change as well as cross-sectoral issues with particular emphasis on natural resources of the Himalayan region. The conference will also assess achievements on the Convention on Biological Diversity 2010 target to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss and an international regime on access and benefit sharing at regional and national levels.
More information http://www.cdbtu.edu.np/icblcc2010
2010-07-01New book: Climate Change Vulnerability of Mountain Ecosystems in the Eastern Himalayas – Synthesis Report
Karma Tse-ring, Eklabya Sharma, Nakul Chettri, Arun Shrestha
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, ICIMOD, undertook a series of research activities together with partners in the Eastern Himalayas from 2007 to 2008 to provide a preliminary assessment of the impacts and vulnerability of this region to climate change. Activities included rapid surveys at country level, thematic workshops, interaction with stakeholders at national and regional levels, and development of technical papers by individual experts in collaboration with institutions that synthesised the available information on the region. A summary of the findings of the rapid assessment was published in 2009. The present publication is the main synthesis report.
Download the publication here
2010-07-01Conference: Perth II - Global Change and the World's Mountains
Perth, Scotland, 26-30 September 2010
An international conference including three sessions on mountain biodiversity organised by GMBA
Registration deadline 1 September 2010
Extended abstracts deadline 1 August 2010
More information http://www.perth.uhi.ac.uk/mountainstudies/2010
2010-03-041st Forum Carpaticum
15-17th September 2010, in Kraków, Poland
The Science for the Carpathians (S4C) initiative invites scientists, policy- and decision-makers working on, or interested in the sustainable development of the Carpathian region to the 1st Forum Carpaticum.
For more information see www.forumcarpaticum.org