Conservation of biodiversity in mountain ecosystems : at a glance

Sustainable development in mountain ecosystems, including conservation of mountain biodiversity, are key elements of the World Bank's mission to promote poverty alleviation. Over the last decade, a number of World Bank projects have been making explicit linkages between conservation and sustainable use of mountain ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and watershed values associated with erosion control, clean water supplies and flood control. Conservation and sustainable use in mountain ecosystems present special challenges because of the harsh climatic conditions, the fragility of mountain soils and the increasing threat of habitat fragmentation and degradation. At the same time, mountain systems present special conservation opportunities as understanding increases of the inter-linkages between mountain development and neighboring lowlands. Better conservation and management of mountain habitats can help to secure river sheds, migratory pathways and other critical ecosystem services which provide substantial downstream benefits.