ABSTRACT
Research on human adaptability to high altitudes is among the most advanced and well-integrated work in biocultural and environmental anthropology. This chapter introduces the crucial problem faced by populations inhabiting high altitude zones: hypoxia, or low oxygen pressure. Other problems associated with high altitude adaptation are cold stress, aridity, shallow soils, steep slopes, low biological productivity, and pulmonary disease. The chapter focuses on adjustments made by Andean populations coping with high altitude stresses. High altitude mountains are the focus of research on climate change because of the availability of ancient ice cores that trapped particles that can be used to reconstruct past climates. Mountain ecosystems present particularly difficult challenges to the application of remote sensing techniques to monitor environmental change. The integration of many mountain regions to the national and global economy has helped residents abandon high altitude regions and has increased participation in the economy through improved roads and infrastructure.
