This collection features a range of scientific contributions addressing socio-economic and environmental changes in various regions, including Sri Lanka's Central Highlands and the arid Andes of Argentina. The discussions cover topics such as the hydrological significance of periglacial environments, the challenges posed by global change, and the impacts of climate change on alpine glaciers. Further, it explores the evolution of communal land ownership in the Alps, resilience in natural resource governance in Nunavut, and the market potential of Austrian hotel destinations through a scoring model approach. The anthology also delves into the decline of regional studies, the onset of non-European geography education at the University of Salzburg, and the effects of deforestation on rural livelihoods in Ecuador's tropical mountain forests. Urban transportation's role in environmental sustainability is examined in the context of Lima, while social housing policies in Santiago, Chile, are analyzed under changing conditions. Additionally, the collection highlights national parks in the western U.S., collaborative research in the Andes, and the threats posed by climate change in the Pamirs and Himalayas. It includes case studies on volcanic eruptions in southern Chile and integrates Christoph Stadel's perspectives on Andean identity and sustainability, alongside personal reflections and a comprehensive list of his publications.
