Bird Migration across the Himalayas
Wetland Functioning amidst Mountains and Glaciers

The first reference to demonstrate how birds survive the high-altitude Central Asian Flyway and the threats to this unique migration.

Herbert H. T. Prins (Edited by), Tsewang Namgail (Edited by), Dalai lama (Foreword by)

9781107114715, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 April 2017

458 pages, 52 b/w illus. 110 colour illus. 35 maps 30 tables
25.3 x 18 x 2.7 cm, 1.12 kg

'In this remarkable book, the authors describe the immense variety of adaptations of migratory birds in the Himalayas. The volume is beautifully designed, replete with highly informative figures, text boxes, graphs, and tables of original data suitable for meta-analyses.' Gabor L. Lovei, Conservation Biology

Birds migrating across the Himalayan region fly over the highest peaks in the world, facing immense physiological and climatic challenges. The authors show the different strategies used by birds to cope with these challenges. Many wetland avian species are seen in the high-altitude lakes of the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau, such as Bar-Headed Geese. Ringing programmes have generated information about origins and destinations, and this book is the first to present information on the bird's exact migratory paths. Capitalising on knowledge generated through satellite telemetry, the authors describe the migratory routes of a multitude of birds flying over or skirting the Himalayas. The myriad of threats to migratory birds and the wetland system in the Central Asian Flyway are discussed, with ways to mitigate them. This volume will inform and persuade policy-makers and conservation practitioners to take appropriate measures for the long-term survival of this unique migration.

Forward
Preface
Introduction
Part I. Migratory Routes and Movement Ecology: 1. Goose migration across the Himalayas: migratory routes and movement patterns of bar-headed geese
2. Himalayan thoroughfare: migratory routes of ducks over the rooftop of the world
3. Migratory routes across the Himalayas used by Demoiselle Cranes
4. Passerine migration across the Himalayas
5. Wader migration across the Himalayas
6. Raptor migration across and around the Himalayas
7. Steppe Eagle migration from Mongolia to India
8. Peregrine Falcons crossing the 'Roof of the World'
Part II. Physiography of the Highest Barrier on Earth: 9. Geological origin and evolution of the Himalayas
10. Late Quaternary glacier fluctuations in the Himalayas and adjacent mountains
11. The influence of hydrology and glaciology on wetlands in the Himalayas
12. The Himalayan vegetation along horizontal and vertical gradients
13. Assessing the evidence for changes in vegetation phenology in high altitude wetlands of Ladakh (2002–2015)
Part III. High-Altitude Migration Strategies: 14. The wind system in the Himalayas: from a bird's-eye view
15. Birds, gliders and uplift systems over the Himalayas
16. Goose migration over the Himalayas: physiological adaptations
17. Distance-altitude trade off may explain why some migratory birds fly over and not around the Himalayas
18. Refuelling stations for waterbirds: macroinvertebrate biomass in relation to altitude in the Trans-Himalayas
19. The Himalayas as an ecological barrier for avian migrants: high and dry, but also dangerous?
20. Bird species diversity on an elevational gradient between the Greater Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau
Part IV. People and their Effects on the Himalayas: 21. Evidence of human presence in the Himalayan mountains: new insights from petroglyphs
22. Pastoralism and wetland resources in Ladakh's Changthang plateau
23. Impacts of tourism and military presence on wetlands and their avifauna in the Himalayas
24. Birds in relation to farming and livestock grazing in the Indian Trans-Himalaya
25. Migratory ducks and protected wetlands in India
26. A network of small, dispersed Himalayan wetlands suitable for designation under the Ramsar Convention
Part V. Conclusions: 27. Bird migration across the Himalayas and beyond: the need for better conservation and management of a natural wonder
Appendix. Locations (places, mountains, rivers, etc.) mentioned in the chapters and their geographic coordinates.

Subject Areas: Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Birds [ornithology PSVW6], Animal behaviour [PSVP], Ecological science, the Biosphere [PSAF], Biology, life sciences [PS]