High mountains can be considered as particularly appropriate environments to detect effects ofclimate change on natural biocoenoses in a global scale for the following reasons: Firstly, ecosystems at the l- temperature limits of plant life are generally thought to be especially sensitive to climate change [1][2][3]. An already ongoing upward shift of vascular plants at high summits in the Alps, determined by the Austrian IGBP-research [4][5][6][7][8], is most likely a response to the atmospheric warming since the 19th century. Secondly, high mountains still comprise the most natural ecosystems in many countries, being largely untouched by human settlements and agricultural influences, Therefore, climatic effects on ecosystems can be studied without masking effects from human land use. Thirdly, high mountain ranges are present in virtually every major zonobiome of the earth. The research initiative GLORIA aims to establish an urgently needed global monitoring network, by using high mountain ecosystems as sensitive indicators, as required in the "IGBP-Mountain Workplan" [9]. Moreover, a deeper understanding of assemblagemechanisms andassemblage processes in vegetation patterns as a contribution to ecological theory can be expected. This paper gives a short general overview about GLORIA and a first outline about the concept, method, and some few results of the "Multi Summit-Approach", one of the basic intentions within the proposed network. It aims to encourage the involvement of high mountain researchers and research co-ordinators in a detailed discussion of the proposed research activities and in a co-operation within the planned global monitoring network.

Inhalt

Contributors. Acknowledgements. Section 1: Climatic and Environmental Changes. Global change and mountain regions - an IGBP initiative for collaborative research; A. Becker, H. Bugmann. Climate variations in Italy in the last 130 years; M. Brunetti, et al. Dendroclimatic information on silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in the northern Appennines; M. Brunetti, et al. Trends in high frequency precipitation variability in some northern Italy secular stations; M. Brunetti, et al. Climate change experiments on a glacier foreland in the Central Alps; B. Erschbamer. High mountain summits as sensitive indicators of climate change effects on vegetation patterns: the `Multi Summit-Approach' of GLORIA (Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments); H. Pauli, et al. Temperature and precipitation trends in Italy during the last century; E. Piervitali, M. Colacino. Climate and other sources of change in the St. Elias region; D.S. Slocombe. Permafrost and climate in Europe: climate change, mountain permafrost degradation and geotechnical hazard; C. Harris, D. Vonder Muhll. Thermal variations of mountain permafrost: an example of measurements since 1987 in the Swiss Alps; D. Vonder Muhll. Climate change and air quality assessment in Canadian National Parks; D. Welch. Regional clean air partnerships and the ETEAM; E.R. Hauge. 4 Additional Chapters. Section 2: Impact on the Biosphere and Hydrology. The Effects of global warming on mountain regions: a summary of the 1995 report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change; M. Beniston. Global change in respect to tendency to acidification of subarctic mountain lakes; V. Dauvalter, et al. Influence of climate, species immigration, fire, and men on forest dynamics in northern Italy,from 6000 cal. BP to today; T. Mathis, et al. Koenigia Islandica (Iceland Purslane) &endash; A case study of a potential indicator of climate change in the UK; B. Meatyard. Semi-objective sampling strategies as one basis for a vegetation survey; K. Reiter, et al. Simulating the impact of climate change on drought in Swiss forest stands; B. Zierl. Forecasted stability of Mediterranean evergreen species considering global change; L. Gratani, A. Bombelli. Birds as bio-indicators of long-transported lead in the alpine environment; M. Janiga. Annual estimations of ecophysiological parameters and biogenic volatile compounds (BVOCs) emissions in Citrus Sinensis (L.) Osbeck; F. Manes, et al. A multiscale study to analyse the response of vegetation to climatic conditions; F. Manes, et al. Phytotoxic ozone effect on selected plant species in a standardized experimental design; F. Manes, et al. Plant invasions in central european middle-mountains: a result of global change? L. Soukupova. 5 Additional Chapters. Section 3: Socio-Economic Implications. Economic evaluation of Italian parks and natural areas; S. Notaro, G. Signorello. Environmental and human impact on coastal and marine protected areas in India; R. Krishnamoorthy, et al. Past climate change and the generation and persistence of species richness in a biodiversity hotspot, the Cape Flora of South Africa; G. Midgley, R. Roberts. The world network of biosphere reserves: a flexible structure for understanding and responding to global change; M. Price. The role of a global protected areas system in conserving biodiversity in the face of climate change; L. Hannah. Section 4: The Abruzzi Parks: A Case Study. The strong reduction phase of the Calderone glacier during the last two centuri