ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents as a contribution to the work of Man and the Biosphere-6 and the International Geographical Union Commission on Mountain Geoecology. It provides an expanded program of climate measurement in mountain environments to aid in the solution of air quality and energy problems as well as basic scientific questions. The book considers the physiological effects of living and working at high altitude. It describes a geologist with a strong grounding in the principles of remote sensing, emphasizes the need for innovative techniques to make the necessary inventories of these often inaccessible areas. The book discusses the types of data that can be obtained with modern methods and stresses the need for the data gathered to understand the theory of remote sensing methods and the limitations of the accumulated data.
