In the past 20 years, the study of mountains has shifted from a focus on their physical environment to a greater awareness of the role of humans in shaping, conserving, and damaging mountain landscapes. Funnel (African and Asian studies, U. of Sussex) and Parish (geography, U. of St. Andrews) review the background physical information, and then examine the environmental and social dimensions, focusing mainly on the Himalayas, the Atlas and the European Alps. Coverage includes the development of research approaches used in mountain studies; the use of the complexity concept for handling diversity and uncertainty; physical factors influencing mountain environments; cultural and social dimensions of mountain communities; economic activities of mountain societies; transformational processes experienced by mountain regions; degradation in mountain areas; conservation policies vital to the survival of the regions; and policy and development initiatives. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
