We tend to associate biodiversity with some of our great, undisturbed wilderness areas of the Earth like the Amazon Rainforest or the Rockies. In Europe, however, many of our most species rich habitats are cultural landscapes which have arisen as a complex symbiosis of man and nature over millennia, achieving a healthy balance between the needs of both.

Nothing typifies these cultural landscapes more than the splendor and colours of alpine meadows. Living on the Continent over the last 10 years or so, I’ve been lucky enough to have the chance to visit many of the high mountain ranges of Europe; from the Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees in Northern Spain and Southern France, to the Eastern Alps and the Tyrol.

In no particular order, this collection of photos gives an idea of the natural and cultural diversity to be encountered across Europe’s mountains – I love exploring these places, whatever the season: