Rock climbing is a continent-wide phenomenon. Any ban on climbing in one country invevitably leads to increased pressure on sites in other countries. Thus, regional if not continent-wide approaches are essential to identify sites where restrictions on climbing may be necessary, and to justify, negotiate, and publicise these restrictions (which are often temporary or seasonal). This report examines the history of climbing and its social and economic significance. It describes the typical flora and fauna of the rock biotope. It presents the results of a survey carried out in 21 European countries, includes a number of case studies and puts forward a series of recommmendations for sustainable management of climbing in Europe.
Cooperation at the scale of entire mountain ranges, whether through formal agreements or regional institutions, is widely acknowledged to be desirable. The Caucasus, generally better known for conflict than cooperation, is a major centre of biological, landscape, and cultural diversity. Appropriate mechanisms to maintain and foster these various types of diversity - which are intricately linked - are urgently needed and as first step, this report gives an overview of the region and details of existing structures for cooperation at all levels.
This report was written as a contribution to Action Theme 10 (mountain ecosystems) of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS). It comprises and introduction to Activity 10.6, on cooperation in mountain ranges, of the PBLDS, followed by a review and assessment of existing mechanisms for inter-governmental cooperation in the Alps. Particular emphasis is placed on cooperation between levels, e.g., between nation-states and between sub-nationl administrative entities. Such cooperation between levels is of increasing importance at the turn of the millennium. The final chapter of this publication considers the extent to which the experience of the Alps might be valuable in other transnational mountain regions in Europe.
Central to this edited volume is the proposition that the mountainous border region of Southeastern Europe needs to become a special target of European Union scale, regional development policy-making. Vivid case studies from eleven Central and Southeast European states present diverse perspectives on this region’s physical geography, economy and demographics and demonstrate the integrative potential of the geographic perspective in mountain research. Europe as a whole has a lot to gain from a “sustainable mountains” policy, especially in Southeast Europe. In their focus on the sustainable development of such areas, the chapters consider regional development policy, ecosystem services assessment, small-scale tourism, and forestry management. This book will be of interest to a wide audience, including academics, students, and practitioners in the fields of geography, ecology, and environmental studies.
The mountain regions in Southeastern Europe are unique natural regions of great beauty and ecological value, and home of the head waters of major rivers. They constitute a major ecological, economic, cultural, recreational and living environment in Europe, shared by numerous cultures and countries. The Southeastern European Mountain Regions are an important reservoir for biodiversity and habitats in Europe. A great number of protected areas – national parks, nature parks, reserves and nature monuments are located in these regions. From a socio-economic point of view the mountain regions are among the poorest areas in the Southeastern European countries, but they have potential for the implementation of successful economic activities. There are opportunities for development of these regions and, in particular, for trans-border integration and co-operation. This book brings together research results from experts from all Balkan countries working on the problems of the mountain regions in Southeastern Europe. The volume focuses on the challenges taking place along the rapid transformation in land use, biodiversity, tourism, nature risk and bio-productivity due to the global changes and particularly due to the local impacts of climate change. The key questions for discussion are: - Biodiversity, nature protection and conservation - Natural disasters and risk management - Social-economical development of the mountain regions - Spatial planning in the development of the mountain regions - Sustainable practices and politics for land use - Transborder co-operation.
