Integrating Climate Change, Land Use change, and Species Interactions for Resilient Mountain Ecosystems

Mountain ecosystem research has come to the forefront as regions of exceptional biodiversity, unique ecological dynamics, and acute vulnerability to global environmental changes. Recent decades have witnessed accelerating pressures from both climate change and land use modifications, which in combination pose complex challenges for the health and functionality of montane landscapes. Evidence shows that these forces are not only altering species distributions and driving extinction risk, but also disrupting ecological interactions such as predator-prey dynamics and reshaping the proximity and interactions of wildlife with human populations and other anthropogenic pressures. Large-scale shifts in climate isotherms and intensified human disturbances further fragment habitats, undermining the resilience of these ecosystems and the services they provide. While many studies have tackled these drivers individually, there is growing recognition that their intertwined effects require integrative research approaches. Despite accumulating case studies and emerging modeling frameworks, significant gaps remain in our understanding of how climate, land use change, and ecological interactions collectively shape mountain biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and human-wildlife coexistence through population, community, and ecosystem-level responses.This Research Topic aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and cutting-edge research on the ways in which mountain ecosystems respond to the combined pressures of climate change, land use/land-cover (LULC) change, and species interactions. We invite contributions that unravel the mechanisms linking environmental drivers to shifts in biodiversity, functional traits, landscape connectivity, and community assembly, as well as studies that analyze human-wildlife interactions and conflict dynamics via ecological mechanisms and measurable ecological outcomes (e.g., changes in space use, demography, trophic interactions, community structure, or ecosystem functioning) in these fragile landscapes. Central aims include identifying pathways to strengthen ecological resilience, informing adaptable management, and providing actionable knowledge for spatial conservation planning. We specifically encourage submissions that leverage novel datasets—from field surveys and camera traps to remote sensing, genetic analyses, and modeling—to jointly address patterns, processes, and practical solutions for long-term sustainability in mountain regions.This Research Topic is focused on integrative studies set in upland or high-elevation areas and welcomes work that emphasizes the interplay among climate change, land-use dynamics, and species interactions—rather than work confined to single isolated drivers. The scope is limited to articles that advance understanding of resilience, conservation, and management in the context of global change with a primary focus on ecological dynamics. To gather further insights in these areas, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:-Drivers of global change: climate and land use effects on species distributions, community structure, and human-wildlife conflict and wildlife responses to anthropogenic disturbance-Species distribution modeling, corridor connectivity, and landscape genetics-Spatio-temporal dynamics of species occurrence, predator-prey interactions, and community assembly-Trait-based and functional community ecology linking abiotic responses and biotic interactions to ecosystem processes Topic editors: Amira Sharief, Ajay Sharma, Bheem Dutt Joshi, Randeep Singh, Jeewan Singh Jalal Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77259/integrating-climate-change-land-use-change-and-species-interactions-for-resilient-mountain-ecosystems