MRI-Supported Mountain Sessions Highlight Elevation Dependent Climate Change and Social–Ecological Research at EGU26 in Vienna
MRI News
article written by MRI
15.05.26 | 12:05

Mountain research featured strongly at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2026 from the 3rd-8th May in Vienna through two sessions endorsed and supported by the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), bringing together researchers from across disciplines to discuss Elevation-Dependent Climate Change (EDCC), environmental transformation, and adaptation in mountain regions.

The first session, Mountain Weather and Climate Processes, focused on advances in understanding weather, climate dynamics, and EDCC in mountain regions. Organised by the MRI EDCC Working Group, the session explored topics including mountain climate processes, cryosphere interactions, extreme events, high-resolution climate modelling, and the persistent observational gaps that limit understanding at high elevations.

A particular highlight was the opening keynote presentation by MRI EDCC Working Group lead Nick Pepin, who reviewed more than a decade of research on Elevation-Dependent Climate Change. His presentation highlighted how warming patterns in mountains differ from broader global trends and emphasised the growing need to move beyond elevation-dependent warming alone towards a wider understanding of elevation-dependent climate change, including impacts on precipitation, snow cover, humidity, extreme events, and downstream water resources. The talk also underscored the importance of improving high-elevation observations and advancing convection-permitting climate models capable of better resolving mountain processes.

A second MRI-endorsed session, Global Environmental Change in Mountain Social-Ecological Systems: Advances and New Perspectives, examined the interconnected environmental and societal dimensions of change in mountain regions. The session brought together contributions spanning climate science, hazards, hydrology, remote sensing, ecology, livelihoods, governance, and adaptation.

Convened and co-chaired by MRI Science Leadership Council member Margreth Keiler, MRI Coordination Office staff Glenn Hunt and others, discussions highlighted the importance of integrated approaches for understanding mountain social–ecological systems under rapid environmental change. Presentations addressed topics such as cascading hazards, climate vulnerability, water security, monitoring challenges, and the need to strengthen connections between science, local knowledge, adaptation practice, and policy-making.

Together, the two sessions reflected the breadth of mountain research currently underway within the MRI community and reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for addressing the complex challenges facing mountain regions worldwide. Both sessions had oral and poster presentations. Below are a selection of the posters from the Global Environmental Change in Mountain Social-Ecological Systems.

Pictured: Nils Fikentscher and colleagues showcased innovative work assessing the potential of low-cost ‘Smart Rock’ sensors for continuous hydrological monitoring in alpine headwater systems. Presented as part of the EU INTERREG WATERWISE project, the research demonstrated how affordable and easily deployable open-source sensors could help expand monitoring coverage across poorly instrumented mountain catchments, supporting improved understanding of climate-driven changes in alpine hydrology.
Pictured: This poster by Julia Hampton and colleagues explored freshwater ecosystem management strategies through a comparison of the Noce River in Italy and the Yuba River in California, USA. The research highlighted how differing governance systems and policy frameworks shape river restoration approaches, while demonstrating the value of international comparisons for identifying new strategies to sustain freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity under increasing climate and environmental pressures.
Bhagyashree Sharma and Reet Kamal Tiwari presented a remote sensing-based Decision Support System for avalanche susceptibility mapping in the north-western Himalaya, combining Earth observation data with AI and machine learning approaches. The work demonstrated how integrating satellite observations, terrain analysis, and historical avalanche records can support dynamic avalanche risk assessment and early warning systems in remote mountain regions where in-situ monitoring remains limited.
Pictured: Mike Müller-Petke presented research from the Blue Transition project examining strategies for building climate-resilient groundwater and soil management systems in ‘blue regions’. The poster highlighted the importance of locally tailored and participatory approaches to water governance, demonstrating how integrated management of water, soils, ecosystems, and land use can strengthen climate adaptation while supporting biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and long-term water security.

BACK TO OVERVIEW

SHARE THIS ARTICLE