With a focus on the governance of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, this research project investigates nature-culture linkages influencing climate change adaptation in mountain social-ecological systems. Local knowledge and traditional land-use practices are critical and must be taken into account, especially when it comes to mountainous regions as the mountain landscape characteristics favored the evolution of unique physical and social-ecological features. Under the frame of the newly re-established Global Network for Mountain UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and with the support of Tohoku University (Japan), GLOMOS researchers are committed to investigating the operationalization of local knowledge into disaster risk reduction measures and climate change adaptation pathways.