African montane forests are biodiversity-rich, unique ecosystems that provide numerous benefits to human beings at both local and regional scales: water, timber, firewood and building materials, medicinal plants, wild fruits and honey, among others. 

They also play an important role in hazard prevention, climate modulation, carbon sequestration and lowland water and food security.

Unfortunately, they are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth due to the combined effects of climate change, population growth and land use change. Working across all major equatorial mountains in Africa, we are understanding the impacts of climate and land use change on mountain communities and how different populations are adapting. Apart from scientific publications, which will advance our understanding of the socio-ecological functioning of these fragile ecosystems, we will produce and disseminate management recommendations and policy briefs and films on the issues, such as around Mountains of northern Kenya (see: https://vimeo.com/221740544/fc6e4a7e02).

Contacts: Dr. Robert Marchant, University of York (robert.marchant@york.ac.uk)

                Dr. Aida Cuni Sanchez, University of York (a.cunisanchez@york.ac.uk)