Landsliding and Its Multiscale Influence on Mountainscapes

Landsliding is a complex process that modifies mountainscapes worldwide. Its severe and sometimes long-lasting negative effects contrast with theless-documented positive effects on ecosystems, raising numerous questions about the dual role of landsliding, the feedbacks between biotic and geomorphic processes, and, ultimately, the ecological and evolutionary responses of organisms. We present a conceptual model in which feedbacks between biotic and geomorphic processes, landslides, and ecosystem attributes are hypothesized to drive the dynamics of mountain ecosystems at multiple scales. This model is used to integrate and synthesize a rich, but fragmented, body of literature generated in different disciplines, and to highlight the need for profitable collaborations between biologists and geoscientists. Such efforts should help identify attributes that contribute to the resilience of mountain ecosystems, and also should help in conservation, restoration, and hazard assessment. Given the sensitivity of mountains to land-use and global climate change, these endeavors are both relevant and timely.Fil: Restrepo, Carla. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Walker, Lawrence. R.. Standford University; Estados UnidosFil: Shiels, Aaron. B.. University of Puerto Rico; Puerto RicoFil: Bussmann, Rainer. University of Hawaii; Estados UnidosFil: Claessens, Lieven. Wageningen University; Países BajosFil: Fisch, Simey. Universidade de Taubaté; BrasilFil: Lozano, Pablo. Ciudadela Universitaria; EcuadorFil: Negi, Girish. G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development; IndiaFil: Paolini, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Poveda, German. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Ramos Scharron, Carlos. Colorado State University; Estados UnidosFil: Ritcher, Michael. Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats; EspañaFil: Acha, Eduardo Marcelo. Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research; Alemani