The aim of MIREN is to understand the effects of global change on plant invasions and plant biodiversity in mountainous areas. We perform observational and experimental studies along elevation gradients to evaluate and quantify the processes and mechanisms that are shaping mountain plant communities. By performing our experiments in this way we can evaluate processes at local (within site), region, and global (both comparing within and between latitudinal zones) scales. The Mountain Invasion Research Network (MIREN) has developed a protocol that can be used by mountain scientists, land managers, botanists, teachers/students and any outdoor enthusiast alike, to track the movement of some indicator species wherever we (and they) go in the mountains.