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IGU CommissionDiversity in
Mountain Systems
Chairman: Prof. Dr. Jörg StadelbauerDepartment of Cultural Geography
University of FreiburgD-79085 Freiburg
Fax: +49 761 203 3575e-mail: [email protected]
freiburg.de
Newsletter 9 / September 2005
1 Editorial
Dear Colleague,
during the 30th International Geographical Congress at Glasgow / Scotland (UK), the General Assembly of the IGU confirmed our Commission for the period until 2008.
It’s with great pleasure that I can send you the newest edition of the Newsletter. Welcome to everyone who conducts research on mountains and wants to become member of our commission! Please send me an e-mail so that I can include you into the list of members. Of course, membership should not be written only on a paper: Please feel motivated to conduct mountain research, to inform other members about it and to participate in the activities and meetings of the Commission! This is said especially to those who are member of national specialty groups on (high-)mountain research.
Members of the Steering Committee 2004 – 2008 of our commission are:
Professor Dr. Jörg Stadelbauer (chair) (Germany)University of FreiburgDepartment of Cultural Geography D-79085 FreiburgE-mail: [email protected]
PD Dr. Jörg Löffler (Secretary) (Germany)
University of BonnDepartment of GeographyMeckenheimer Allee 166D-53115 BonnE-mail: [email protected]. Dr. Yuri Badenkov (Russia)Institut Geografii Rossijskoy Akademii NaukStaromonetnyy pereulok, 29
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MoskvaE-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Dr. Monique FortUFR GHSS, Case 7001Centre de Géographie PhysiqueUniversité Paris 7 – Denis Diderot2 Place JussieuF-75 251 Paris Cedex 05E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Donald A. Friend, Ph.D. (USA)Department of GeographyMinnesota State UniversityArmstrong Hall 7Mankato, MN 56001E-mail: [email protected]
Professor Dr. Hans Hurni (Switzerland)Department of GeographyUniversity of BerneHallerstrasse 12CH-3012 BernE-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Martin Price (United Kingdom)Director, Centre for Mountain StudiesPerth CollegeUHI Millennium InstituteCrieff RoadPerth PH1 2NX, UKTel: +44 (0) 1738-877217Fax: +44 (0) 1738-877018URL : http://www.cms.uhi.ac.ukE-mail: [email protected]
Ass. Prof. Fausto Sarmiento, Ph.D.The University of GeorgiaOffice of International Education Phone: +706 583 0477Fax: +706 542 7102E-mail: fsarmien@ uga.eduURL: http://www.uga.edu/oie/sarmiento/htm
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Besides, the Commission continues to compose an e-mailing list for all other people who want to share our common work on mountain geography. Unfortunately, I lost some data after a virus attact against my computer. Therefore, a new e-mailing list has to be composed. Please, feel free to contact us if you wish to get our newsletter which is mainly based on informations from the internet. We also suggest to contact the Mountain Forum, unless you already did before.
Please visit also our website: http://www.geographie.uni-freiburg.de/ikg/igu-mountain/
There, you will find all Newsletters edited by the IGU Commission “Diversity of Mountain Systems” since 2000.
Sorry,there has been some confusion in counting the Newsletter … The correct enumeration should be2001: Newsletter #1, Dec.2002: Newsletter #2, June, #3 Dec.2003: Newsletter #4, March, #5 Nov.2004: Newsletter #6, July, #7 Dec.2005: Newsletter #8, July
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2 Main event forthcoming: The International Geographical Union: Regional Conference 2006, Brisbane / Australia
As announced in the last issue of the Newsletter, the next regional conference of the IGU will take place at Brisbane, Australia, 3-7.7.2006. We repete the general invitation of the Organizing Committee:
Regional Responses to Global ChangesA view from the Antipodes
3-7 July 2006, Brisbane, Australia
and
joint meeting of the Institute of Australian Geographers and the New Zealand Geographical Society
This conference will focus geographical attention on critical physical and human processes driving global change. Complex, global-scale processes exert pressures on environmental, social, cultural and economic resources at regional and local scales. It will look at regional responses in a changing world, with emphasis on tropical zones, particularly in south-east Asia and the south-west Pacific.
The IGU 2006 Brisbane Conference will focus on regional responses in a changing world with emphasis on equatorial and tropical zones, particularly in south-east Asia and the south-west Pacific.Key symposia will include: local and regional impact of resource exploitation and community responses mobilisation of regional capabilities to sustain and enhance social, cultural and
environmental values constructive responses to natural disasters, climatic change and other global-scale
processes.Analysis of contemporary development issues will be a key theme, including the role of indigenous/non-indigenous co-management of resources. The Conference enables a timely audit and review of these issues and an opportunity for agenda-setting research discussion. These necessarily involve debate over the cross-national engagements geographers seek to nurture and over the policy and political outcomes of geographers' work.
CONTACT USIGU 2006 Brisbane Conference SecretariatEventcorp Pty LtdPO Box 5718 West End Qld 4101 Australia Ph: 61 7 3846 5858; Fax: 61 7 3846 [email protected]
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We got the following important general information from the Brisbane organizational Committee:
IGU2006 Brisbane promises to be a landmark event for the geographers in the Antipodes and a worthy successor to IGU1988 Sydney. We anticipate a packed conference programme over the five days, 3 to 7 July, 2006, given the level of involvement already evidenced by Australian and New Zealand geographers as well as IGU Commissions. Offers to convene sessions, so far received, are shown in the attached document. We also are finalising a list of high-profile keynote speakers, to be published when confirmed.
SOME CRITICAL DATES:The Second Circular will be released by mid-August, containing details on registration, accommodation, submission of abstracts, programme structure, field trips and other relevant information. For those seeking to contribute to programme development, the following dates are given here:16 December 2005: Deadline for receipt of abstracts that are eligible for consideration in specialist sessions.24 February 2005: Deadline for receipt of abstracts for inclusion in general paper sessions. (These papers may, however, be relocated into a relevant specialist session, where desirable).
PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT:The conference programme will be constructed around three different session formats:Keynote sessions: These will be given prominence in morning time-slots, with no more than four concurrent sessions.Specialist sessions: These will comprise the 'mainstream' sessions convened by Commissions, Study Groups and others, built around specific themes. Depending on the numbers of papers received, ten or more concurrent sessions may occupy each time-slot.General Paper Sessions: These will include papers not accepted into specialist sessions.
We anticipate four ninety-minute time-slots each day but may need to extend this, depending on numbers of papers accepted for presentation. Four or five papers per session may need to be accommodated. However, keynote sessions may have varying formats, possibly comprising one lead speakers with discussants or a panel discussion or some other format.
PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATION:The Programme Committee, comprising Nigel Tapper (Chair), Richard Le Heron, Phillip O'Neill and Gary Brierley will be working on an integrated conference programme, following the August 15 deadline for receipt of proposals. However, we invite all those proposing to convene sessions to scrutinise all offers so far received and undertake advance discussions with other convenors where there may be benefits in co-ordinated or joint sessions. Also, individuals wishing to offer papers in specialist sessions should now directly contact relevant session convenor(s) with their offers. Emails of convenors are shown in the attached listing. (Please note that, in due course, all abstracts must be submitted centrally via our conference website.)Our proposed schedule will enable IAG Study Groups to engage in further planning for IGU2006 during their meetings at the Armidale conference in July. John Holmes will be available to attend Study Group business meetings to fill in any further details.
KEEPING IN TOUCH:Basic conference information is available on our website at www.igu2006.org With the release of the Second Circular, this website will include full details on how to register and submit an abstract. It will also will progressively include details on the conference programme as it is developed and the texts of all abstracts as they are registered.
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John HolmesChair, Organising [email protected] Tapper Chair, Programme [email protected]
Nigel TapperProfessor of Environmental Science Interim Director Monash Environment Institute School of Geography and Environmental Science, Building 11 Monash University, Wellington Road Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia ph.+61-3-99052931 fax.+61-3-99052948 http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ges/who/nigel.html
The IGU Commission ”Diversity in Mountain Systems” will participate in the Brisbane Regional Conference by hosting at least two sessions with special contributions. We are inviting all mountain geographers to participate in the Regional Conference:
Call for Pannels – Papers - PostersThe steering committee of the Commissin “Diversity in Mountain Systems” would be grateful if you would consider this call, offering titles and not more than 100 word descriptions of your proposed session or paper. If you consider to propose a panel, you will need to be mindful of generating enough speakers (no less than 3) for such sessions from people who will be attending the event, although speaker names do not need to be finalised at this moment. A complete panel may include a chairperson, two or three speakers and a discussant. The Commission envisages scope in the Brisbane Programme for a limited number of sessions in Mountain Geography, including a plenary session on a theme that would command a broad audience. Should offers of sessions be excessive, we will have to choose among the proposals.
Please send a response with your offer of panels, papers and posters until Oct. 14, 2005 [email protected]
3 Awards, extraordinary events
Druk Gyalpo – Dragon King - Jigme Singye Wangchuk of Bhutan and the People of Bhutan are winners of the 2005 UNEP Champions of the Earth award.
To know more about the award, please visit the following link:<http://www.unep.org/champions/winners-Druk%20Gyalpo.htm>
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4 Conferences, Workshops in the future...
A regular service on forthcoming conferences and workshops is provided by the Mountain Forum. Please contact the website: http://www.mtnforum.org/calendar/calendar.htm
4.1 "Les Alpes, entre villes et campagnes".CIPRA, Conférence annuelle 200522 au 24 septembre, Brigue/Brig en Valais/SwitzerlandInformations et inscription:http://www.cipra.org/f/formulare/2005_jahresfachtagung_anmeldung.htm
CIPRA-InternationalIm Bretscha 22Postfach 142FL-9494 [email protected]://www.cipra.orgTel.: 00423/2374030Fax: 00423/2374031
4.2 Historical transhumance between the Alps and the Po-venetian plains 24 September - 25 September, 2005, ASIAGO (VI), Italy Contact: [email protected]: http://www.sozooalp.it/docs/PrimoAnnuncioAsiago.pdf
4.3 8th World Wilderness Congress 30 September 6 October, 2005 Anchorage, Alaska, USA. 30-Sep-2005 / 6-Oct-2005 Contact: [email protected]. More information: www.8wwc.org
4.4 Open Science Conference: Global Change in Mountain Regions, October 1 - 5, 2005, Perth, Scotland, UK
A conference for: All researchers (physical, biological
and social scientists, self-identified as
"mountain" or not) who can contribute to
1) analysis and dissemination of the results of past and ongoing research on global change in mountain regions; and2) preparation of an integrative research strategy for mountain regions that will effectively address the challenges of the 21st Century. Those managers and scientists
interested in and responsible for Mountain Biosphere Reserves (MBRs), to develop a strategy for implementing global change research in MBRs around the world.
Expected outcomes:- communication of new results between scientists and researchers working in the mountains of both industrialised and developing countries around the world - a framework for long-term research on global change that can be implemented in Mountain Biosphere Reserves and other mountain locations in both industrialised and developing countries.
Format:- Keynote addresses - Plenary presentations - Sessions for contributed papers on global change; drivers, impacts & responses - Special sessions - Symposium on integrated research projects - Synthesis: a global change strategy for mountain regions
For further details and to register your interest in receiving future information, please go tohttp://www.mountain.conf.uhi.ac.uk
Martin Price, Director, Centre for Mountain Studies
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Perth College, UHI Millennium InstituteCrieff RoadPerth PH1 2NX, UKTel: +44 (0) 1738-877217Fax: +44 (0) 1738-877018Contact: [email protected]
4.5 Mountain Festival "Celebrating the Splendor of Mountains"Islamabad, Pakistan, 1-3 October, 2005.Organizers: Ministry of Environment, Government of Pakistan, The World Conservation Union (IUCN), and UNDP/GEF in collaboration with WWF Pakistan and all other partners of Mountain Areas Conservancy Project (MACP). The festival secretariat has just uploaded a comprehensive website about this event and will continue to update it. The website contains background of the event, proposed activities and a small photo gallery from Northern Pakistan. The website also invites feedback from its visitors.To know about MACP, its objectives, interventions and partners, please visit: <http://www.macp-pk.org>For updates on the festival, please keep visiting:<http://www.macp-pk.org/festival>
Shahzad AhmadMountain Festival Secretariat, Islamabad Programme OfficeThe World Conservation Union (IUCN)38-Main Embassy Road, G- 6/3, Islamabad, Pakistan
4.6 Deutscher Geographentag (Bi-annual Meeting of German Geographers)Oct. 1 – 6, 2005, Trier (Germany)
A special session of the German working group “High Mountains” (Arbeitskreis Hochgebirge) is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 5, 2005.For more details see:
http://www.geographentag-trier.de
4.7 Global Environmental Change, Globalization and Internatinal Security: New Challenges for the 21st CenturyOctober 9 to 13, 2005; Bonn, Germany
6th open meeting of the IHDP Programme. Go to http://www.ihdp.uni-bonn.de/ for more information. The MRI will make a lunch time presentation to the conference and will also chair a session entitled “Making global change research matter in mountain regions”.
(Information provided by Mountain Research Initiative)
4.8 Inter-Regional workshop: Human health impacts from climate variability and climate change in the Himalayan region Nainital, India, October 3 - 7, 2005. Contact: [email protected] URL: http://www.who.int/globalchange/climate/en/; http://w3.whosea.org/index.htm
4.9 International Conference: Models for sustainable regional developmentNalchik (Russian Federation, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic), 5-9 Oct. 2005Organized by The Russian Academy of Sciences, Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Centre, Institute of Computer Sciences and Problems of Regional Manegement
The Conference:Конференция посвящена обсуждению состояния и развития методов моделирования региональных процессов и информационных систем, предназначенных для решения широкого круга социо-эколого-экономических задач, возникающих на региональном уровне. На конференции
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также будут рассмотрены вопросы повышения системной эффективности регионального хозяйства при помощи современных средств и методов информатизации. Будут рассмотрены следующие вопросы: - определение понятия устойчивого регионального развития, его цели, критерии, показатели и концепции;- методы и методики получения значимой информации о состоянии региона;- мониторинг и прогноз экологического состояния региона;- моделирование и управление социо-эколого-экономическим развитием региона ;- проблемы безопасности регионального развития; - региональные информационные сети, информатика и искусственный интеллект
Sections:I. Концепция устойчивого регионального развития (УРР)II. Социо-эколого-экономические аспекты УРРIII. Моделирование процессов УРРIV. Проблемы безопасности регионального развитияV. Региональные информационные сети, информатика и искусственный интеллект
Сборник трудов конференции будет издан к ее открытию. Авторы смогут получить его в оргкомитете конференции в Институте информатики и проблем регионального управления КБНЦ РАН. Авторам, не прибывшим на конференцию, сборник трудов будет выслан по почте наложным платежом. Дискеты будут возвращены авторам, прибывшим на конференцию. Иногородние участники могут размещаться в гостиницах, санаториях, пансионатах г. Нальчика. Проживание и питание - за счет участников конференции.
В рамках рекреационной программы конференции будут организованы экскурсии в Приэльбрусье и на Чегемские водопады.
Participation:
Для участия в конференции вам необходимо направить в срок до 15.08.2005 года:1. Заявку на участие в конференции по прилагаемой форме в печатном или электронном варианте2. Доклад в печатном или электронном вариантеЗаявки на доклады, статьи и дискеты необходимо пересылать в конвертах с жесткими прокладками простой бандеролью по адресу: ИИПРУ КБНЦ РАН, 360000, КБР, Нальчик, ул. И. Арманд, 37а. К материалам необходимо приложить два почтовых конверта размерами 110х160 мм и 230х165 мм с обратным адресом для отправки трудов конференции и писем оргкомитета. Материалы конференции необходимо также выслать по электронной почте на адрес: iipru @ rambler . ru .
For further information, please contact:IIPRU KBNTs RAN, 360000, KBR, Nalchik, ul. I. Armand, 37ae-mail: [email protected].: (86622) 42-65-52, 42-65-62 Fax: (86622) 42-37-58
4.10 5th International Conference of the Alpine Protected Areas Congress Centre "Le Manège" in Chambéry / France, 13th to the 15th of October 2005.
For further details please visit:http://www.alparc.org/ConfInter/fra/index.php?page=intro
Emmanuelle BRANCAZRéseau Alpin des Espaces ProtégésMicropolis - IsatisF - 05 000 GAP
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Tel:+33 (0)4 92 40 20 00Fax: +33 (0)4 92 40 20 01
4.11 Integrated Rural Development in the Mountain Areas of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans Liptovský Mikulás - Demänovská Dolina, Slovakia, 24-26 October 2005
Organizers: EUROMONTANA - the European Association for Mountain Areas and its partners: Association of Agricultural Cooperatives and Trade Companies of SR, Ministry of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic, The Government of Norway - Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, United Nation Environment Programme, SARD-MProject (Food and Agriculture Organization), Mountain Partnership
For more details, please visit: http://www.euromontana.org/
4.12 International Mountain Corridor Conference24 to 31 October 2005; Les Planes de Son, Spain (24-27), Vitoria, Spain (27-29), Cantabria, Spain (29-31)
Location: Held in Les Planes de Son Centre, next to the Aigestortes-Sant Maurici National Park and the Alt Pirineu Natural Park in the Catalan Pyrenees, Spain. Hosts and sponsors: Co-hosted by the Fundaci Territori i Paisatge and IUCN WCPA Mountains Theme in association, with the support of Europarc Federation and Eurosite, and under the auspices of the Council of Europe.
Program: http://www.suportserveis.es/ Details: The workshop will exchange lessons and distil experiences on large scale conservation efforts in mountain
areas, by comparing case studies from the Cantabric Mountains, the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Carpathians, the Apennines, the Caucasus and the Canadian and USA Rockies. Discussions will shape the examples to be included in the IUCN WCPA handbook "Large scale conservation connectivity - conservation corridors management" coordinated by G. Worboys (IUCN WCPA) and scheduled to be published in 2006. In particular, participants will be invited to focus on the singularities (ecological, social, cultural) of Europe with respect to large scale mountain connectivity initiatives, in terms of threats, impacts and opportunities. In addition, the Cantabric-Pyrenees-Alps Great Mountain Corridor Initiative will be formally launched. Contact:mailto: [email protected]
4.13 Colloque International "Les enjeux du tourisme durable dans les espaces protégés"Nice, 24 - 26 novembre 2005Organisé par: Unité de Coordination du Réseau Alpin des Espaces Protégés, Parc national du Mercantour, Parc naturel Alpi Marittime
Votre inscription est à renvoyer directement au Parc national du Mercantour avant le 21 octobre 2005, par courrier ou fax (coordonnées dans le formulaire). Unité de Coordination du Réseau Alpin des Espaces ProtégésGap / France Tel. ++33 / (0)4 92 40 20 00 Fax. ++33 / (0)4 92 40 20 01
4.14 National Workshop: Integrated Management of Natural Resources in MountainsPantnagar, India, November 28 - December 2, 2005Contact: [email protected]
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URL: http://imnrm.tripod.com/
4.15 International Symposium towards sustainable livelihoods and ecosystems in mountainous regions 7-9 March 2006, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Organized by: “The Uplands Program” (SFB564), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart (Germany); Chiang Mai University (Thailand); World Agroforestry Centre (Thailand) Supported by: DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)
BackgroundMountainous regions cover more than one-fifth of the world’s landscape and are home to more than 600 million people. They are of significant importance for the global ecosystem and are characterized by a high degree of ethnic, cultural and ecological diversity. High population growth, political and social marginalization of mountain people, tenure insecurity, and extraction of natural resources by a variety of actors have increased the pressure on fragile mountainous areas. As a consequence, we observe vicious circles of resource degradation of a distinctly different nature: in more remote and subsistence oriented areas farmers react to increasing pressure by shortening fallow periods and cultivating steep hillsides resulting in erosion, loss of soil fertility and decreasing agricultural productivity. In areas that are closer linked to markets, farmers attempt to maintain agricultural productivity by intensifying land use, employing increasing amounts of fertilizer and pesticides, resulting in a loss of biodiversity and contamination of water resources. At the same time, we observe that the urban centres with dynamic trade and manufacturing sectors develop rapidly, thus increasing the gap in living conditions between rural and urban areas. To reverse these trends and to stop the downward spiral of resource degradation, rural
poverty and food insecurity, integrated scientific analysis and new approaches to mountain development are needed that identify sustainable agricultural practices, strengthen local institutions and knowledge systems, and increase the resilience of both mountain ecosystems and rural livelihoods.
ObjectivesThe objective of the symposium is to bring together scholars and practitioners to exchange both innovative multidisciplinary and integrated research outcomes and successful extension and development approaches. Another aim of the conference is to present and discuss the research results of “The Uplands Program” and compare these with experience and scientific analyses from other regions. Particular emphasis will be given on research results and development experience that make a significant contribution to1. developing sustainable production and land use systems with increased productivity in ecoogically fragile, economically disadvantaged and socio-culturally complex mountainous regions; 2. identifying viable concepts for rural institutions, food processing and marketing that can reduce rural poverty and food insecurity in mountainous areas; and 3. advancing methods for analysing complex ecosystems and their interactions with the sociocultural, economic and institutional environment.
Themes• Mountainous Regions: A challenging ecosystem - Sustainability concepts, research priorities and development strategies for mountainous areas - Comparative perspectives from mountainous areas in Asia, Africa and Latin America
• Securing mountain livelihoods in a globalizing economy: Options and strategies
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- Viable conservation-oriented cropping strategies - Integrated livestock and aquaculture systems - Processing and marketing of high-value products - Policies, institutions and social networks - Payment for environmental services - Alternative livelihood strategies • Assessing and modeling complexity and diversity in mountainous areas - Innovative methodological approaches - Assessment of mountain agroecosystems - Modeling land use changes and landscape dynamics - Bridging local and scientific knowledge - Multi-scale and multi-criteria analysis
These themes are still tentative. We particularly encourage the submission of interdisciplinary and comparative contributions.
Registration feeThe registration fee is US-$150. A reduced early-bird-registration fee of US-$120 is valid until 31 December 2005. A special rate of US-$ 75 will be charged for participants from developing countries. The fee includes conference material, refreshments, lunch for three days, a reception dinner and a half-day mid-symposium excursion. Please note that the organizers cannot provide funding for travel costs and accommodation of participants.
Dates and deadlines:Submission of oral presentation/poster abstracts (1-2 pages): 15 October 2005 Notification of acceptance of oral presentation/poster abstracts: 15 November 2005End of early-bird-registration (reduced fee): 31 December 2005 End of registration: 31 January 2006 Deadline for submission of final papers/posters: 15 February 2006
OrganizersDr. Andreas Neef
Assist. Prof. Dr. Pittaya Sruamsiri The Uplands Program (SFB 564) Hohenheim Office, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand Dr. David Thomas, World Agroforestry Centre, c/o Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Prof. Dr. Karl Stahr, Prof. Dr. Franz Heidhues, Dr. Jens PapeThe Uplands Program (SFB 564), University of Hohenheim (796), 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
Symposium Secretariat:The Uplands Program (SFB 564) Hohenheim Office, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Tel: +66-53-944647, Fax: +66-53-893099E-mail: [email protected]
For further information please see http://www.TheUplandsProgram.net.ms
4.16 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers (AAG), Special Session: Mountain Tourism - Diversity, Complexity and Change7-11 March 2006, Chicago, IL.
Co-sponsored by the Recreation and Tourism Specialty Group (RTSG) and the Mountain Geography Specialty Group (MGSG).
Continuing with a very successful special session on mountain tourism organized at last year's Annual Meeting of the AAG in Denver and Philadelphia before that, we invite you to present your paper on this years' special session on "Mountain Tourism - Diversity, Complexity and Change" Geographic applications of tourism in the exploration of issues of diversity, complexity, and change in mountainous
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environments are welcome for presentation in this special session. Topics may include issues related to natural (e.g., environmental change as a result of mountain tourism, tourism impacts on mountain parks) or social sciences (community perspectives, mountain tourism planning, mountain resort development trends, tourism and environmental policies, tourism and energy, adventure tourism). Both conceptual as well as applied tourism research are welcome.Interested speakers, please send your abstracts to [email protected] (but first see the guidelines below). Online Registration: Follow the directions on the AAG website (http://www.aag.org). First, you must register for the meeting, preferably online. AAG will process your registration and then allow you to submit an abstract online. No abstracts will be accepted that are not submitted online. You will receive an acknowledgment from AAG that will include a program identification number (PIN). You should then forward your PIN, title of presentation and abstract to Sanjay Nepal at the address below.
Sanjay K. Nepal, PhDDepartment of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX-77845-2261Tel: 979 862 4080 Fax: 979 845 0446http://www.rpts.tamu.edu
4.17 Commission on Mountain Cartography : Workshop on high mountain cartography related topics.30th March – 1st April, 2006, at Bohinj, Slovenia
For more information, please follow the link below:http://www.mountaincartography.org/cmc-workshops/pdf/workshop_slovenia.pdf
4.18 Biodiversity Conservation in Asia: Current Status and Future PerspectivesNovember 17-20, 2005 Kathmandu, Nepal. More information: http://www.conbio.net/SCB/AsiaMeetings_EN.asp
4.19 Earth System Partnership Open Science Conference: Global Environmental Change Regional ChallengesNovember 9 to 12, 2006; Beijing, ChinaIt seems hard to overestimate the potential of this conference to advance global change research in mountain regions. First of all, the meeting is sponsored by all four programs within ESSP, including the two (IGBP and IHDP) that have explicitly endorsed MRI. Second, the conference is focussed on regional issues, an ESSP theme reflected as well in ESSP's initiative on Integrated Regional Studies. That all the different scientific aspects of global change - geophysical, ecological, economic, and anthropological - all manifest and interact in a geographic space, in our case, a mountain region, is a fundamental premise of MRI. The perspective of ESSP as advanced in this conference, corresponds nearly perfectly with that of MRI.
The MRI should seize this opportunity to portray mountains as paradigmatic regions for global change research. Why not use this conference to propose and even announce integrated regional studies in major mountain regions of the world? http://www.essp.org/essp/ESSP2006/index.html for conference infohttp://www.essp.org/essp/about_essp.html - REGIONAL for info on ESSP integrated regional studies.
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5 Conferences, Workshops, Meetings, Events in the past
5.1. GLOCHAMORE
The workshop “Process Studies along Altitudinal Gradients to serve Conservation and Sustainable Development” took place in Samedan, Switzerland from July 27 to 30, 2005.
Abstracts and presentations can be downloaded from the MRI website (http://mri.scnatweb.ch/component/option,com_docman/task,view_category/Itemid,25/subcat,11/catid,14/limitstart,0/limit,10/
6 Nature Protection, National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Mountain Heritage
UNESCO Annual MeetingIn July 2005, the United Nations Educations, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held its annual meeting in Durban / South Africa and revised the international list of World Heritage sites and inscribed seven new sites, five of which are in mountain places. Two other mountain sites were also extended.Many of the mountain sites were protected largely due to their extraordinarily high levels of biodiversity - a common characteristic of many mountain places.World Heritage sites protect both natural and cultural heritage that is considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. The list is maintained by UNESCO, who encourages nations to identify, protect and preserve their cultural and natural heritage.
The latest information:http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/134
Newly inscribed mountain sites: South Africa - Vredefort DomeVredefort Dome, approximately 120km south west of Johannesburg, is a representative part of a larger meteorite impact structure, or astrobleme. Dating back 2,023 million years, it is the oldest astrobleme found on earth so far. With a radius of 190km, it is also the largest and the most deeply eroded. Vredefort Dome bears witness to the world’s greatest known single energy release event, which caused devastating global change, including,
according to some scientists, major evolutionary changes. It provides critical evidence of the earth’s geological history and is crucial to our understanding of the evolution of the planet. Despite their importance to the planet’s history, geological activity on the earth’s surface has led to the disappearance of evidence from most impact sites and Vredefort is the only example on earth to provide a full geological profile of an astrobleme below the crater floor.
Japan - Shiretoko Shiretoko Peninsula is located in the northeast of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. The site includes the land from the central part of the Peninsula to its tip (Shiretoko Cape) and the surrounding marine area. It provides an outstanding example of the interaction of marine and terrestrial ecosystems as well as extraordinary ecosystem productivity largely influenced by the formation of seasonal sea ice at the lowest latitude in the northern hemisphere. It has particular importance for a number of marine and terrestrial species, some of them endangered and endemic, such as the Blackiston’s Fish owl and the Viola kitamiana plant. The site is globally important for threatened sea birds and migratory birds, a number of salmonid species, and for a number of marine mammals, including the Steller’s sea lion, and some cetacean species.
Norway - West Norwegian Fjords Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord Situated in southwestern Norway, northeast of Bergen, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, set 120km from one another, are part of the west Norwegian fjord landscape, which stretches from Stavanger in the south to Andalsnes, 500km to the northeast. The two fjords, among the world’s longest and deepest,
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are considered as archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere. Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400m from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500m below sea level. The sheer walls of the fjords have numerous waterfalls while free flowing rivers cross their deciduous and coniferous forests to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains. The landscape features a range of supporting natural phenomena, both terrestrial and marine such as submarine moraines and marine mammals.
Mexico - Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California The site comprises 244 islands, islets and coastal areas that are located in the Gulf of California in northeastern Mexico. The Sea of Cortez and its islands have been called a natural laboratory for the investigation of speciation. Moreover, almost all major oceanographic processes occurring in the planet’s oceans are present in the property, giving it extraordinary importance for study. The site is one of striking natural beauty in a dramatic setting formed by rugged islands with high cliffs and sandy beaches, which contrast with the brilliant reflection from the desert and the surrounding turquoise waters. The site is home to 695 vascular plant species, more than in any marine and insular property on the World Heritage List. Equally exceptional is the number of fish species: 891, ninety of them endemic. The site, moreover, contains 39% of the world’s total number of species of marine mammals and a third of the world’s marine cetacean species.
Thailand - Dong Phayayen - Khao Yai Forest Complex The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex spans 230km between Ta Phraya National Park on the Cambodian border in the east, and Khao Yai National Park in the west. It is a rugged mountainous area ranging between 100m to 1,351m high with about 7,500 of its 615,500 hectares above 1,000m. The north side is drained by several tributaries of the Mun River, itself a tributary of the Mekong River. The southern side is drained by numerous scenic waterfalls and gorges and four main fast streams that flow into the Prachinburi River. The site is home to more than 800 species of
fauna, including 112 mammal species (among them two species of gibbon), 392 species of birds and 200 reptiles and amphibians. It is internationally important for the conservation of globally threatened and endangered mammal, bird and reptile species, among them 19 that are vulnerable, four that are endangered, and one that is critically endangered. The area contains substantial and important tropical forest ecosystems, which can provide a viable habitat for the long-term survival of these species.
Extended mountain sites: India -Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks Nestled high in the West Himalaya, India’s Valley of Flowers National Park is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear and blue sheep. The gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park, which was already inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988. Together they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya, praised by mountaineers and botanists for over a century and in Hindu mythology for much longer. With this extension the site will be known as Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park.
United Kingdom - St Kilda Initially inscribed on the World Heritage List for its outstanding natural features and wildlife in 1986, the site has now been recognized also for its cultural value, thus becoming a mixed site. This volcanic archipelago, comprising the islands of Hirta, Dun, Soay and Boreray, uninhabited since 1930, bears the evidence of more than 2,000 years of human occupation in the extreme conditions prevalent in the Hebrides. Human vestiges include built structures and field systems, the cleits and the traditional Highland stone houses. They feature the vulnerable remains of a subsistence economy based on the products of birds, agriculture and sheep farming.
7 Organisations
Mountain Forum EuropeThe upcoming issue of the Bulletin of the Mountain Forum will be focusing on "Sustainable Tourism for Poverty Alleviation
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in Mountain Areas". The Editors are now seeking contributions on this topic from MF members in Europe, for the Bulletin's "Regional Perspectives" section. This feature article should be around 1,500 words long.If you wish to share your experience about sustainable tourism in your region's mountain areas, kindly email us (at [email protected]) few lines on the subject of your intended contribution. The deadline for submitting the full-length article is October 10th, 2005.We are also still accepting EMF contributions for the Bulletin's "Member Initiatives" section where you can post information (600 to 800 words) on any of your current initiative or project taking place in the mountains of your region.
The deadline for all contributions for the Bulletin is October 10th, 2005.Please do not hesitate to contact the MF at [email protected] [email protected] should you have any question.Celine Curi,The Mountain Forum TeamProgramme Development OfficerMountain Forum SecretariatC/o ICIMODP.O. Box 3226Kathmandu, NepalTel: +977 1 5525310 (or 5525311) ext. 663Fax: +977 1 5524509 / 5536747Website: http://www.mtnforum.org/Email: [email protected]
8 Scientific networks and research projects
8.1 Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) http://mri.scnatweb.ch/MRI is a multidisciplinary initiative that is working to share information within the scientific community working on global change in mountain regions worldwide. They are focusing on integrated research activities to help policy-makers. The Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) is working on "Real Projects in Real Places." The idea is to develop proposals for global change research in specific sites, like UNESCO mountain biosphere reserves. A survey was conducted in 2004 to identify the current issues in mountain biosphere reserves. The results and synthesis are now available at the MRI website http://mri.scnatweb.ch/index.php/content/category/3/11/32/ Individuals and organizations working on this subject are encouraged to participate in this initiative.
8.2 MIREN: Mountain Invasions Research Network
The MRI would like to draw attention to the recently established Mountain Invasions Research Network (MIREN). Its research activities will contribute to the implementation of the GLOCHAMORE Research Strategy in Mountain Biosphere Reserves and other protected areas. MIREN has been founded at a workshop held from 15 to 17 July 2005 in Vienna, Austria. The research network addresses the problem of plant invasions in mountain regions using mountains as model study systems for research into the mechanisms of plant invasions, particularly under the conditions of global (climatic) change. At this time, MIREN is hosted by the Institute of Geobotany at the ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and includes members from six different mountain regions (Australia, Chile, the Canary Islands (Spain), Hawaii (USA), the Pacific Northwest of the USA and Switzerland). MIREN will be present at the GLOCHAMORE Open Science Conference in Perth, Scotland, UK (2-6 Oct. 2005). For more information please contact the MIREN Project Coordinator Christoph Küffer ( [email protected]) or visit MIRENs new WEB page which is due
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out by mid September (http://www.miren.ethz.ch).
8.3 GLOCHAMORE (Global Change in Mountain Regions)
The workshop “Process Studies along Altitudinal Gradients to serve Conservation and Sustainable Development” took place in Samedan, Switzerland from July 27 to 30, 2005. Abstracts and presentations can be downloaded from the MRI website (http://mri.scnatweb.ch/component/option,com_docman/task,view_category/Itemid,25/subcat,11/catid,14/limitstart,0/limit,10/).The GLOCHAMORE Open Science Conference, to be held in Perth, Scotland, UK from October 2-6, is the final event of the GLOCHAMORE project. Conference information and registration form are available at http://www.mountain.conf.uhi.ac.uk/index.php. The web site also contains a preliminary program of keynote presentations, working lunches, special and concurrents sessions.
8.4 AEM (Association Européenne des Elus de Montagne; European Association of Elected Representatives from Mountain Areas)
Veuillez trouver ahttp://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1112&=format=HTML&aged=0&language=FR&guiLanguage=en un communiqué de presse (Fr, It, Es, En) de la Commission européenne annonçant qu'elle vient d'allouer 356 millions d'euros pour la réalisation d'études et la construction de projets du réseau transeuropéen de transport (RTE-T). Parmi les projets et les études qui ont bénéficié d'un soutien significatif, on trouve les futures traversées ferroviaires alpines Lyon-Turin et Brenner.
L'AEM se réjouit de cet engagement en faveur du RTE-T pour lequel elle milite depuis de longues années, et récemment encore lors de son assemblée générale à Chambéry les 8 et 9 juillet 2005. Elle félicite le Vice-Président de la Commission Jacques Barrot, ami de la montagne et ancien président de l'association française des élus de montagne, pour son action pleine de succès, ainsi que les Services de la DG TREN pour leur pugnacité dans cette période budgétaire difficile.L'AEM veut considérer cette annonce comme le début possible d'un engagement de l'Union européenne vers la voie retrouvée de la cohésion, de la compétitivité et de l'emploi pour affronter la concurrence, la stagnation et le renoncement, la marque d'un engagement volontariste face à la morosité. Les traversées ferroviaires alpines sont un élément primordial du développement durable de l'Union européenne; elles sont également un exemple pragmatique et concret de ce que doit être une ambition européenne, une dynamique de croissance et d'emploi comme le veut la stratégie de Lisbonne renouvelée. Les traversées alpines ferroviaires, tout comme Galion, sont en effet un élément d'innovation important à travers leurs technologies et leurs technicités, un facteur de création d'emplois et une protection pour l'environnement; mais surtout elles rapprocheront les citoyens européens.Les RTE-T, comme l'ensemble des actions qui touchent au développement durable des territoires (de montagne), doivent s'intégrer dans une stratégie européenne cohérente etdynamique. L'AEM défend l'idée que cette politique européenne des RTEet des grands projets structurants doit se fonder sur un schéma de développement de l'espace communautaire renouvelé, enrichi du respect des compétences locales et régionales, et prenant en compte les spécificités territoriales; il deviendrait ainsi une stratégie européenne de l'aménagement du territoire et de la cohésion territoriale qu'il faut alors basée sur un processus de
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concertation communautaire, intergouvernementale et interrégionale.L'AEM entend également contribuer à intégrer dans ces grands projets les voix des populations et les préoccupations des citoyens. Les projets RTE-T pour atteindre tout leur potentiel de développement durable et de cohésion, doivent être compris et acceptés comme des facteurs positifs; ils doivent également entendre et trouver des solutions aux craintes locales.Consciente que les besoins des traversées alpines, de la traversée pyrénéenne, et à terme, des Carpates sont importants pour l'ensemble de l'Union européenne, l'AEM se bat pour faire que l'Europe ne soit pas qu'une juxtaposition de zones d'échanges intensifs ; mais qu'elle soit un véritable espace intégré qui puisse proposer des politiques publiques face aux flux du marché unique. Alors les montagnes seront de nouveaux les lieux de rencontre et d'échange, de ressources et de liberté qu'elles ont vocation à être.
Michel BOUVARD, Président de l'AEMDéputé de la Savoie à l'Assemblée nationale, Premier Vice Président du Conseil général de Savoie
Contact: Nicolas Evrard, Délégué auprès des Institutions européennes
Association Européenne des Elus de MontagneEuropäische Vereinigung der Gewählten von BergregionenEuropean Association of Elected representatives from Mountain Areashttp://www.promonte-aem.net/[email protected]
AEMAvenue Boileau, 16B-1040 BruxellesTél.: +32 (0)2 739 15 45 Fax: +32 (0)2 739 15 39
9 Bibliography, Recent Publications
P.N. Owens et O. Slaymaker (eds.), Mountain Geomorphology, 2004, Arnold, 313 p.Cet ouvrage vient à point nommé pour présenter une synthèse actualisée des différents aspects de la géomorphologie des montagnes. La traduction du titre est délicate en français et révèle d’emblée l’ambiguïté du propos : s’agit-il d’aborder une géomorphologie thématique ou de couvrir le champ des différents types de montagnes à travers le globe ? Les co-directeurs P. Owens et O. Slaymaker s’en expliquent en introduction (1e partie, chapitre 1), par une mise au point fort utile sur les critères utilisés pour définir ce qu’est une montagne et quels en sont les différents types géomorphologiques. Il en ressort que le contexte tectonique joue un rôle fondamental, expliquant sans doute que l’essentiel des contributions de l’ouvrage porte sur des exemples de montagnes jeunes ou actives d’un point de vue géodynamique, laissant peu de place aux autres types de systèmes
montagneux. Le livre s’organise en trois parties centrales, géomorphologie historique, géomorphologie fonctionnelle, géomorphologie appliquée, selon un découpage inspiré de R. J. Chorley (1978) ; le contenu de ces parties est brièvement présenté, ainsi que celui de la cinquième et dernière partie consacré aux interactions homme-montagne étudiées dans un contexte de changement climatique. L’approche historique de la géomorphologie des montagnes (2e partie) repose très fortement sur les apports des sciences de la Terre. Trois chapitres assez différents en constituent la matière. «L’évolution cénozoïque des grands systèmes montagneux à l’échelle du globe» (chap. 2, par L. A. Owen) pourrait figurer dans n’importe quel manuel de géologie. Très bien documenté, ce chapitre s’attache davantage à montrer les structures et les différentes étapes de la formation des chaînes de type «alpin» et «circumpacifique» que les formes aux échelles régionale et méso-régionale (toute référence à
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la notion de bassin intramontagnard ou à la mise en place du réseau hydrographique en est absente, par exemple). Néanmoins, ce chapitre bref et percutant corrigera très avantageusement, pour le lecteur français, ce qui a été écrit sur ces aspects dans nombre de récents manuels français consacrés à la géographie des montagnes. «L’évolution des montagnes des marges continentales passives» (chap. 3, par C. Ollier) est la seule contribution consacrée à ce contexte géodynamique cher à l’école française de géomorphologie. L’auteur suit une approche géomorphologique classique, avec une définition des formes caractéristiques (symétrie des continents, dissymétrie des marges, vallées en rift, omniprésence des grands escarpements) et les moyens de les dater. Après une présentation rapide (parfois trop, cf. le Brésil) de toutes les montagnes des marges continentales du globe, l’auteur insiste sur les relations entre les formes décrites, la tectonique, l’évolution géomorphologique, notamment celle du réseau hydrographique, le tout étant illustré par quelques blocs diagrammes didactiques. Cette première partie se clôt sur une étude de cas consacrée à «L’évolution des montagnes de Nouvelle-Zélande» (chap. 5, par P. W. Williams). Ces chaînes, créées en réponse à deux zones de subduction de polarité opposée, ne présentent pas tout à fait les mêmes caractères (l’île du Nord est volcanique, celle du Sud est très influencée dans sa structure par la Faille Alpine de décrochement dextre), mais elles ont en commun d’être très récentes, émergées depuis quelques millions d’années seulement, et d’avoir été abondamment englacées. L’auteur met l’accent sur la surrection des reliefs dans un contexte où les taux de soulèvement du substrat sont supérieurs aux taux de dénudation (hélas, les figures sont parfois à peine lisibles) ; il montre que ces taux peuvent varier rapidement d’un secteur à l’autre, en particulier dans les Alpes du Sud, dont il présente une étude précise qui fait transition avec la troisième partie de l’ouvrage. On regrettera que cette partie consacrée à l’approche historique fasse complètement l’impasse sur les relations entre tectonique et sédimentation (pour une synthèse, voir l’ouvrage de D.W. Burbank et R.S. Anderson, 2001). C’est en effet souvent grâce à l’étude sédimentologique et tectonique des dépôts piégés dans les bassins intramontagnards ou d’avant chaîne que l’on peut reconstituer les
différentes étapes de structuration et évaluer les rythmes de surrection des reliefs.Consacrée à la géomorphologie fonctionnelle des montagnes, la troisième partie comprend quatre chapitres, dont deux consacrés à des études de cas. Dans le chapitre 5 «Processus, taux et modalités d’érosion des chaînes de montagnes», N. Hovius, D. Lague et S. Dadson brossent en quelques pages une synthèse brillante des apports les plus récents à la géomorphologie des montagnes. L’approche est systémique, intégrée, incluant les changements d’échelle, posant les «bonnes» questions, à la base même de la réflexion géomorphologique (l’érosion des lits fluviaux rocheux, le couplage entre versants et talwegs, les budgets sédimentaires et les rythmes de l’érosion…). Ce texte est dense et puissant, montrant la géomorphologie actuelle comme une science en pleine évolution, où approches géographiques et géologiques, loin de s’ignorer, se complètent parfaitement. La modernisation de la discipline, aidée par les développements géomatiques, permet désormais de répondre aux questions laissées jusqu’alors en suspens (par exemple la modélisation des réponses géomorphologiques aux changements de rythmes de surrection, aux variations de climat…). En fait, la matière de ce chapitre, tout comme celle du suivant, déborde du simple cadre montagnard, ces deux textes intégrant dans leur réflexion l’ensemble des processus agissant à l’échelle des continents. Dans le chapitre 6 «Dénudation mécanique et chimique des systèmes montagneux», N. Caine s’appuie sur les travaux bien connus de J.D. Milliman et J.P.M. Syvitski (1992), et en offre une mise à jour très documentée, d’où il ressort que si les régions de montagne ont bien évidemment des taux de dénudation très élevés par rapport au reste du globe, la part de la dénudation géochimique y est plus importante que ce que l’on pensait initialement. D’une façon plus générale, les taux de dénudation sont d’autant plus élevés que les montagnes sont couvertes de glaciers à base tempérée et qu’elles font partie de systèmes tectoniques très actifs. En revanche, la part de l’anthropisation reste très marginale dans ces bilans et le rôle du climat demande encore à être clairement identifié. Toutes ces incertitudes, ainsi que d’autres (identification précise des zones sources de sédiments, passage des taux observés actuels aux taux à
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l’échelle géologique, etc.), sont bien soulignées en conclusion.Suit une première étude de cas (Chap. 7, par Y. Onda), consacrée à l'«Hydrologie et mouvements de masse des versants des Alpes Japonaises». L’étude porte sur la comparaison de bassins versants à substrats contrastés, les uns granitiques et les autres schisteux. Y. Onda montre comment, dans un contexte tectonique très actif, les taux de dénudation sont très élevés et comment, du fait de la minceur du régolite, c’est la nature du substrat qui détermine le cheminement de l’eau en surface et en subsurface, ainsi que le type de mouvements de masse, la densité et la fréquence du drainage. Une deuxième étude de cas porte sur un tout autre sujet : «Les crues de rupture de lacs glaciaires dans les environnements montagneux», communément appelées GLOF (chap. 8, par H. Björnsson). Après avoir passé en revue les différents types de situations possibles, les conditions dans lesquelles la formation des retenues lacustres se produit, les mécanismes et les caractéristiques des crues ainsi engendrées, l’auteur choisit plusieurs exemples, parmi lesquels les lacs de barrage sédimentaires, glaciaires, les lacs sous et/ou intra-glaciaires, les crues liées aux éruptions volcaniques. Ces événements, brutaux, très morphogènes et potentiellement dangereux, sont de mieux en mieux connus, même si le moment précis de la rupture reste peu prévisible et si beaucoup d’incertitude subsiste sur les modalités de drainage et de rupture sous-glaciaire. On aborde alors très logiquement la quatrième partie, subdivisée en trois chapitres et consacrée à la «Géomorphologie appliquée des régions de montagne». Dans le chapitre 9, K. Hewitt présente une importante contribution sur «Les aléas géomorphologiques dans les environnements montagnards». Familier de ces questions auxquelles il a déjà consacré de nombreux écrits, l’auteur s’attache surtout aux montagnes de tectonique active et adopte une approche thématique, évoquant successivement les tremblements de terre, les menaces liées à la neige et aux glaciers, les mouvements de terrain et leurs effets induits (création de barrages naturels, de retenues lacustres et de possibilités de ruptures catastrophiques). K. Hewitt insiste aussi sur la mise en danger croissante des populations, en particulier dans les montagnes tropicales et subtropicales (exploitation des ressources forestières et minières, construction de routes, de barrages,
urbanisation…). Le cas des montagnes du Karakorum, cher à l’auteur, est ensuite abondamment illustré.Le chapitre 10 «Les aléas dans les montagnes de Chine», par Tianshi Li, couvre un vaste domaine, où différents types de systèmes montagneux sont représentés. Les types d’aléas et leurs causes sont d’abord évoqués. L’auteur insiste ensuite sur les impacts sociaux et économiques très lourds sur les populations (voir la liste impressionnante d’événements ayant chacun provoqué la mort d’au moins 100 personnes). Pour faire face à de tels dangers, les Chinois ont développé tout un arsenal de mesures de prévision et de systèmes d’alarme mais aussi de protection (ouvrages d’art dont les dimensions sont à la mesure de la magnitude des processus géomorphologiques impliqués). Différentes études de cas sont évoquées au fil du chapitre ; on retiendra le cas spectaculaire de la crue catastrophique engendrée dans la vallée de Palong par la vidange d’un lac de barrage lié à un glissement de terrain.Les montagnes volcaniques offrent un type de relief particulièrement sensible aux «Processus et aléas géomorphologiques (…)», et font l’objet du onzième chapitre traité par J-C. Thouret. Très synthétique, complet et didactique, ce chapitre illustre la singularité des montagnes volcaniques et des phénomènes géomorphologiques menaçants qui s’y développent, qu’ils soient primaires (liés directement aux éruptions) ou secondairement induits (tsunamis, lahars…), voire combinés avec d’autres facteurs (pluies, couvertures de neige ou de glace…). Le texte s’appuie sur de nombreux exemples choisis dans diverses parties du globe. L’évaluation des aléas et des zones à risques dans ces montagnes fait l’objet d’une démarche rigoureuse, qui associe études de terrain minutieuses et modélisations à l’aide de MNT et SIG, montrant ainsi l’apport incontournable de la géomorphologie dans ce domaine. Le livre se termine par une courte cinquième partie où sont mis en perspective la «Géomorphologie des montagnes et le changement environnemental global» (chap. 12) par O. Slaymaker et P. Owens. Les auteurs insistent beaucoup sur les différentes échelles spatio-temporelles. Ils montrent comment, à l’échelle des temps géologiques, les montagnes sont souvent le moteur de changements fondamentaux tant au plan climatique qu'à celui de la biosphère, alors qu’à l’échelle des
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cycles glaciaires-interglaciaires elles sont d’excellents enregistreurs de ces changements (cf. niveau et type de glaciation, zone périglaciaire, pluviaux-arides…). Le concept de dynamique «paraglaciaire» (Church et Ryder, 1972) est notamment discuté. Pour les périodes récentes et actuelles, les influences anthropiques sont soulignées et évaluées. Les auteurs insistent enfin sur le chapitre 13 de l’Agenda 21 (Sommet de la Terre de Rio en 1992), qui contient des recommandations sur les actions à mener en priorité dans les différentes montagnes du globe (tant au niveau scientifique qu’institutionnel), les montagnes étant à la fois d’excellents observatoires des changements globaux et risquant, malheureusement plus que d’autres régions du globe, d’en subir les effets désastreux potentiels.Les co-directeurs souhaitent que leur production soit à la fois un manuel et un ouvrage de référence, dans la lignée de ce que furent en leur temps les manuels de O. Slaymaker et H.J. McPherson (1972) et celui de A. J. Gerrard (1990) : ils ont atteint leur but, faisant appel à des auteurs qui font autorité dans leur champ de compétence. Certes, les chapitres sont inégaux, les thèmes retenus intéresseront certains lecteurs plus que d’autres, quelques oublis ont été notés. Mais nul doute que les lecteurs français, étudiants, enseignants ou chercheurs, trouveront-là matière à parfaire leurs connaissances, à conforter leur approche de la géomorphologie à la charnière des sciences de la Terre et des sciences humaines, à saisir que la géomorphologie des montagnes apporte des clefs de compréhension plus globales, indispensables à toute réflexion géomorphologique en général. J’encourage donc tous ceux que passionne notre spécialité, qu’ils travaillent en plaine ou en montagne, à acquérir cet ouvrage, de surcroît à un prix abordable : ils ne devraient pas être déçus.
Monique Fort
References:Burbank D.W. and Anderson ? (2001). Tectonic geomorphology. Blackwell Science. 274 p.Chorley R.J. (1978). Bases for theory in geomorphology. In Embleton C., Brunsden D., Jones D.K.C. (eds), Geomorphology: present problems and future prospects. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1-13.Gerrard A.J. (1990). Mountain environments: an examination of the physical geography of mountains. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Milliman J.D. and J.P.M. Syvitski (1992). Geomorphic/tectonic control of sediment discharge to the ocean: the importance of small mountainous rivers. Journal of Geology, 1000, 525-44.Slaymaker O. and H.J. McPherson (1972)
(By courtesy of the author Prof. Monique Fort)
Jeremy Fried*, Margaret Torn, and Evan Mills (2004): The Impact of Climate Change in Wildfare Security: A regional forecast for Norther California – In: Climatic Change 64: 169-191. This article describes the use of several models to predict fire outcomes, including number of escaped fires, area affected, and return intervals, in the San Francisco Bay area, the Sierra Nevada, and the north coast. It illustrates wonderfully the translation of climate change into estimates of use to management agencies and policy makers.http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/fia/local-resources/pdf/fia_scientist_publications/fried/climate_change.pdf
Thanks to the Mountain Forum for providing us with so many fruitful information on mountain activites all over the world!
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http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/fia/local-resources/pdf/fia_scientist_publications/fried/climate_change.pdf
