Mountains are extremely responsive to shifts in climate patterns, with their elevated regions providing vital ecosystem services crucial for both neighboring mountainous areas and adjacent lowlands. The repercussions of a warmer climate impact these services, leading to adverse effects on water supply, biodiversity, and natural hazard protection. The alterations brought about by climate change affect social-ecological systems in mountainous regions, influencing the perception of risk within communities and shaping responses to evolving climate conditions. Thus, to comprehend how individuals and societies in mountainous areas react to climate change, it is essential to scrutinize the aspects and drivers of risk perception. This article presents the outcomes of a literature review focusing on recent English language publications regarding risk perception in connection to climate change and associated natural hazards in mountain regions globally. The studies were chosen from recorded entries in JSTOR, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science spanning the period 2000–2019. The analysis, conducted in two stages (structured exploratory analysis, n = 249, and in-depth analysis, n = 72), considered the studies' research questions, methodologies, geographical scope, and drivers of risk perception. The review highlights that socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, and personal experiences, significantly influence individual risk perception. In mountainous regions, certain intangible yet crucial factors, such as place attachment and socio-cultural practices, also play a pivotal role. However, there is limited information in the literature addressing the specific nuances of risk perception in mountain areas and its impact on community responses to environmental changes. Furthermore, a notable gap exists in incorporating indigenous knowledge into risk perception research, with many studies overlooking or oversimplifying local knowledge and cultural dimensions. In conclusion, based on these findings, the paper identifies several gaps in research and knowledge that may affect the formulation of climate risk management strategies and their successful implementation.
Mountains are extremely responsive to shifts in climate patterns, with their elevated regions providing vital ecosystem services crucial for both neighboring mountainous areas and adjacent lowlands. The repercussions of a warmer climate impact these services, leading to adverse effects on water supply, biodiversity, and natural hazard protection. The alterations brought about by climate change affect social-ecological systems in mountainous regions, influencing the perception of risk within communities and shaping responses to evolving climate conditions. Thus, to comprehend how individuals and societies in mountainous areas react to climate change, it is essential to scrutinize the aspects and drivers of risk perception. This article presents the outcomes of a literature review focusing on recent English language publications regarding risk perception in connection to climate change and associated natural hazards in mountain regions globally. The studies were chosen from recorded entries in JSTOR, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science spanning the period 2000–2019. The analysis, conducted in two stages (structured exploratory analysis, n = 249, and in-depth analysis, n = 72), considered the studies' research questions, methodologies, geographical scope, and drivers of risk perception. The review highlights that socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, and personal experiences, significantly influence individual risk perception. In mountainous regions, certain intangible yet crucial factors, such as place attachment and socio-cultural practices, also play a pivotal role. However, there is limited information in the literature addressing the specific nuances of risk perception in mountain areas and its impact on community responses to environmental changes. Furthermore, a notable gap exists in incorporating indigenous knowledge into risk perception research, with many studies overlooking or oversimplifying local knowledge and cultural dimensions. In conclusion, based on these findings, the paper identifies several gaps in research and knowledge that may affect the formulation of climate risk management strategies and their successful implementation.