The unknown on the edge; mountain ecosystem ecology and change Event

Abstract: Mountain ecosystems provide strong environmental gradients due to their topographical nature, and these gradients drive variance in ecological systems, some visible, many not. Whilst we have a reasonable grasp of plant community assembly across these systems, the state of belowground function, and the sensitivity of the microbial community to change is poorly reconciled. In the context of land use and climate change, gauging this sensitivity is key to assessing the sustainability of mountain ecosystems. I will explore some of the major issues in mountain ecosystem ecology, highlighting the knowledge gaps, and ways forward. I will discuss some of the underappreciated facets of these unique ecosystems, and how my own work, and that of colleagues, hopes to inform on the sustainability of mountain soils, with a special focus on snow and winter ecology.