This study examined how the application of a concrete series of activities to protect the páramo in the central Andes of Ecuador can be compared with social technology. This is understood as a way of developing, implementing, or managing technology in interaction with the population, with the aim of generating dynamics of social inclusion, improvement of living conditions, and sustainable development. A mixed methodology was used, including quantitative analysis based on satellite images available for 3 periods (1986–2000, 2000–2008, and 2013–2021) to determine páramo loss, and qualitative research to understand the relationship of communities to páramo changes. The patterns of land-use change, the situation of the páramo, and the main actions to protect the ecosystem were identified. The results showed that from the first to the second period, there was a loss of 17.2% of the páramo, while from the second to the third period, the loss decreased to 3.3%. This improvement can be attributed to the delimitation of conservation areas within communal areas, accompanied by restoration, a change in the dynamics of livestock ownership, and the creation of socioeconomic alternatives for farmers in the lowlands. This set of actions addresses 3 key issues: land use, livestock management, and community governance. We consider these actions to be social technologies because the conservation measures were adopted by an empowered community, open to cooperation and agreements, that understands the importance of protecting the páramo so that they and those living in the lower basins have access to water. This management vision is supported by several organizations working in the area and represents a line of action that the authorities should promote to prevent further loss of the páramo while simultaneously providing livelihood opportunities for the inhabitants of the area.

The impacts of both climate change and socioeconomic processes are driving the degradation of mountains and the ecological services they provide worldwide. In the tropical Andes, compounding glacier retreat, altered hydrological and precipitation regimes (eg off-season alternation of extreme dry and wet periods), and expansion of mining and other land uses are modifying hydrological services. Although initiatives to restore ecosystems and their services are increasing, conceptual models emerging from experiences on the ground are scarce. Based upon the experience of Peru's National Institute for Research on Glaciers and Mountain Ecosystems (INAIGEM) in the Piuray Ccorimarca microbasin (Cusco) in combining participatory action research and experiments at the plot scale, this article elaborates a conceptual model for the rehabilitation of hydrological services on the social–ecological systems of puna grassland. The model proposes multiscale (plot–pilot–microbasin) rehabilitation. At each level, the actions proposed include designing plots, selecting sites, implementing restoration activities, and evaluating and monitoring the sites. Our inductive model from the ground and plot can inform rehabilitation of hydrological services on puna grasslands elsewhere.

Home to 88 million people, the Ethiopian mountains are a highly heterogeneous landscape. The Afroalpine ecosystem is found above 3000 masl and is characterized by high levels of species diversity, rarity, and endemism. The objective of this article is to investigate impacts of plantation forests on both the human and plant communities of the Afroalpine zone. We use a case study of a community-based conservation area in the north central highlands, Guassa Community Conservation Area (Guassa), where plantation forests have been established since the 1970s. The study area covers about 78 km² ranging between 2600 and 3700 masl and largely belongs to the Afroalpine zone. We interviewed 100 residents of the 4 administrative regions closest to Guassa and conducted vegetation sampling of 70 quadrats along 2 transect lines. We found a roughly equal number of ecosystem services between native grassland and plantation forest. However, respondents reported 7 unique ecosystem services from the native grassland and only 3 unique ecosystem services from the plantation forest. Both native grassland and plantation areas were valued for their perceived ability to attract rain and provide habitat for wild animals. We recorded a total of 87 species belonging to 63 genera and 31 plant families across both vegetation types surveyed and a total of 19 endemic species. Of the plant families, Asteraceae had the highest species number. Although plantation forests support less diverse plant communities and provide fewer unique ecosystem services to human communities compared to native Afroalpine vegetation, they are still a valuable piece of the landscape mosaic.

Spring water plays a crucial role in sustaining life in the Himalayas. Yet these vital water sources are drying as a result of natural and anthropogenic factors. In July and August 2020, we conducted phone interviews with leaders from 300 local government units across Nepal to identify the status of spring drying, the main causes, the consequences for local communities, measures adopted, conservation practices, and policies. Springs had dried up in 74% of local government units, with medium to severe problems across 44%. The scarcity of drinking water because of drying springs is the most severe issue, leading to outmigration in the search for water, as reported by 7% of the local governments. Road and infrastructure construction is the main cause of springs drying up, followed by earthquakes and climate change. Problems of spring drying are more prevalent in the Chure region, followed by the mid-hills and mountains. Local governments have used various strategies to mitigate the problem, such as rainwater harvesting, reforestation, lifting, and boring. Spring conservation work has been included in local governments' annual plans, programs, and budgets, but most of them focus on drinking water. Therefore, the problem must be addressed as quickly as possible with the participation of all stakeholders and following a bottom-up approach.

As the world's mountains are significant hotspots of biodiversity and home to hundreds of millions of people, they are ideal locations in which to investigate and develop the conservation social sciences in a systematic way to help inform conservation decision-making and policy. Here, we discuss the development of a social science research agenda for the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, a transboundary environmental organization working in Canada and the United States. We suggest that this process is useful for others to undertake in similar conservation landscapes and mountain systems as we strive to better understand how people live in, play in, benefit from, and visit the globe's mountain regions. We outline an agenda for collaborative social science research in the Yellowstone to Yukon region related to 4 themes and offer 12 priority questions as launching points for interested researchers to explore in more detail. Through a review of relevant literature on the 4 themes, we identify research gaps that, if addressed, could usefully inform decision-making across the Yellowstone to Yukon region. Finally, we call on the research community to focus its curiosity and resources on answering these questions and encourage funders and institutions to support them in doing so.