Call for papers: Drought Dynamics and Futures in Mountain Regions

For this focus issue, MRD seeks papers that advance understanding of drought processes and human contributions leading to societal, ecological, and economic risks and impacts, or present innovative responses to drought, from local adaptation practices to policy and governance approaches. Contributions focusing on moving from reactive responses to resilience are particularly welcome. More specifically, we invite scholars and development practitioners to contribute to MRD’s 3 peer-reviewed sections in the following ways:

MountainDevelopment (transformation knowledge): Papers should present lessons learned from the systematic evaluation of development interventions, local practices, and policy efforts, or insights from transdisciplinary and practice-oriented research related to drought. They should focus on how initiatives have helped to mitigate and adapt to drought. For example, papers may assess the positive and negative impacts of community-based water management practices, such as traditional collection, or innovations for water storage in mountain regions, such as artificial ice bodies.

MountainResearch (systems knowledge): Papers should present empirical research or meta-analyses focusing on social and/or environmental change dynamics of drought and their impacts on mountain societies and ecosystems. We particularly encourage comparative studies across regions, as well as syntheses that bridge science and practice. For example, papers may examine the effectiveness of nature-based preventive approaches, such as watershed protection and aquifer recharge, the impacts of drought on human and livestock health, or the release of organic and inorganic pollutants from thawing permafrost, as well as increased sediment loads following heavy rainfall after drought periods. In addition, given that mountain regions often lack reliable hydrological and climate records, contributions are encouraged that explore accessible and scalable solutions for strengthening regional data networks, community-based monitoring, capacity building, and standardized protocols to improve the effectiveness and equity of adaptation efforts.

MountainAgenda (target knowledge): Papers should propose agendas and priorities for future policies, interventions, or research, with a focus on promoting sustainable mountain futures. The agendas must be based on a sound analysis of current thinking that results either from a rigorous and in-depth literature review or from a systematic stakeholder process in the respective field. Reviews of work on the integration of transformational resilience-building in mountains into national or regional policies and strategies are also highly welcome.

Submission:

• Email a short notice of intent (including a working title, 2–3 sentences on the content, and the journal section to which you intend to submit the paper) to mrd-journal.cde@unibe.ch by 15 June 2026.
• Submit your full paper by 15 September 2026 using MRD’s online submission platform.
• The issue is scheduled for completion in August 2027; articles will be published on a rolling basis, as soon as they are ready.