Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Source: www.cms.int

Information on migratory species for research activities

On http://www.groms.de, indicate the scientific name or English common name of the species. If the information you need is not available in the GROMS database, or if you have difficulties using the database, please contact the database manager: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Why do animals migrate?

Because there are seasons. These result in temporary differences in food availability, weather, light conditions, etc. Migratory animals make use of such differences and exploit resources which are available in different parts of the globe only during part of the year or of their life cycles. They have evolved so that they can live for some time in areas that could not sustain them the whole year round.

What is migration?

Migration is a natural phenomenon by which individuals of given species move between areas which they inhabit at different times of the year. Migratory movements tend to be regular and largely predictable. They may take place over large fronts or along thin, traditional routes; in one single, continuous journey or as a series of legs interspersed with rests. In this latter case, many species use regular staging areas as stop-over sites where they recover from the previous leg and gather fuel before they continue their trip.

Why should migratory species be conserved?

Migratory species of animals are, on average, more at risk of becoming endangered than non-migratory species. This is so because their requirements are greater: not only do they need good habitat for reproduction but also during their off-season and all along their migratory routes. In an ever-changing world, human pressure is high on some of those habitats, and also often on the animals themselves (hunting, incidental catch, etc). As a result, many migratory species that were once common are becoming increasingly rare. We all share a responsibility in the conservation of this common natural heritage.

What migratory species are most at risk?

Some species lead such secretive lives that not enough can always be done to improve their conservation status. For example, the marine turtles and some of the marine mammals, the life habits of which are only poorly known. Also particularly at risk are those species subject to unsustainable exploitation and those with small populations.

Are migratory species affected by climate change? If so, to what extent?

Migratory species certainly are affected by climate change, although it is difficult to say to what extent. The degree of affection varies according to the species, its habitat and food requirements, etc. But, on the whole, it can be said that being biologically dependant on more than one habitat, migratory species are among the worst affected by climate change. Climate change may not only alter the biological characteristics of a given habitat, thus even making it unsuitable for that species, but it may also displace certain biological components to other locations. In the latter case, should the component be of vital importance to the migratory species, it would be forced to adapt its migratory habits to the new circumstances.

What role do migratory species play in relation to global biodiversity?