Development of international joint Master’s Degree in Ecology, specialization in Alpine Ecology

Twenty-four per cent of the surface area of the Earth is covered by alpine areas, and mountains occur in all biogeographical regions of the world. They contain a great variety of climates, geological and physiographic features, and are the gathering grounds of much of the world’s water. Because of their history, isolation, and great variability of habitat, they are treasuries of high biodiversity and rich in endemic species. Alpine areas are also important centres of agro-biodiversity with a great variety of locally adapted crops and livestock, an important genetic resource and an asset for assuring food security for a growing global population...