This book breaks the ground in Geographical texts by transcending a strictly regional or topical focus. It presents the opportunities and constraints that mountains and their resources offer to local and global populations; the impacts of environmental and economic change, development and globalisation on mountain environments. Part of the Ecogeography series edited by Richard Hugget

One of a series of titles aimed at Key Stage 2 readers dealing with a range of topics relating to geography.

Mountain Environments and Communities explains the background physical environment and then explores the environmental and social dimensions of mountain regions. This critical review of the concepts currently employed in mountain research, draws upon a wide range of examples from developed and developing countries. The dynamics of mountain life are described through both historical accounts of village-based systems and examples of the contemporary impact of global capital and sustainable development strategies.

Using examples chosen from a variety of geographical settings and scales, A. J. Gerrard presents a novel approach to the study of mountain environments. He provides a framework in which mountains as special environments can be studied and shows how, no matter what their location or origin all mountain regions share common characteristics and undergo similar shaping processes. Gerrard's integrated approach combines ecological, climatological, hydrological, volcanic, and environmental management concerns in a systematic treatment of mountain geomorphology. He begins by examining the special nature of mountains, including a new classification of mountain types. He discusses mountain ecosystems, stressing the interaction between biota, soil, climate, relief, and geology, examines the high-energy systems of weathering and mass movement, and analyzes the role of rivers and hydrology and the processes of slope evolution. Two chapters are devoted to the particular characteristics of glaciation and vulcanism in mountain formation. The book concludes with a discussion of the special problems that human use of mountain regions create, including engineering, natural hazards, soil erosion, and the concept of integrated development. A. J. Gerrard is Lecturer in Geography at the University of Birmingham, England

Mediterranean mountains exhibit many similarities in their biotic ecological, physical and environmental characteristics. There are also many differences in terms of their human colonization pattern, historic land uses and current anthopogenic pressures. This book provides an introduction to these environments of mountainous areas in the Mediterranean and their changes in time and space in relation to both natural and cultural factors. Mediterranean Mountain Environments places its emphasis on physical geography while adopting an integrated approach to the whole subject area. The book draws examples from a wide range of environments, demonstrating the interaction between human and physical processes responsible for shaping mountain areas. Risks and conflicts, as well as methods and tools for the conservation and management of both the natural and cultural environment are covered in the light of future challenges for the sustainable development of the Mediterranean mountains. Emphasis on both mainland and island mountain ranges Combines natural and cultural approach in the topic Integrated approach: facing future challenges based on the study and understanding of the historical processes that have shaped the Mediterranean mountains Key references at the end of each chapter