Could you please send me information on migratory species for my thesis or other research activity?

The information is in the web on www.groms.de. Please 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: k.riede.zfmk@uni-bonn.de.

ON MIGRATION

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.

So, 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.

ON CONSERVATION

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. This is the case of the Slender-billed Curlew, the breeding grounds of which are still unknown, so few effective measures can be taken to protect those species during the breeding season. It is a similar case with 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.

What is being done to reverse their status?

Every species needs its own set of solutions, to be adopted mostly by the responsible bodies and institutions, and implemented locally. CMS works to make Parties aware of the value of the common heritage under their responsibility and encourages them to take part in the joint effort to protect it and manage it wisely. When direct action is required, particularly for Appendix I species, this can be channeled through CMS, who works in close co-operation with the responsible authorities of the member State.

ON GLOBAL ISSUES

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?

Migratory species of wild animals represent only a fraction of the total biodiversity, yet they are a very significant portion of the world’s genetic resources. They have evolved in intricate interrelationships, in many cases still to be fully understood, with resident plant and other animal species. They also play a unique role as indicators for the interdependence of and linkages between ecosystems and for ecological change. And they are, most of all, vulnerable as a result of their long migrations, which involve many risks.

ON CMS

Why is it called "The Bonn Convention"?

Because it was signed in Bonn, Germany, on 23 June 1979. Like many other international treaties (Washington, Bern, Ramsar, Barcelona, Basel, etc.) it is commonly known after the city where it was concluded.

How does CMS relate to other Conventions in the field of wildlife, conservation, etc?

CMS is the only global (and UN-based) intergovernmental organization which is established exclusively for the conservation and management of migratory species. Although migratory species in general are included in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and migratory fish species are covered by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), these conventions do not provide for the special instruments for the conservation work to be done. Other global wildlife conventions, such as Ramsar, CITES and the World Heritage Convention, have their specific fields of application, with little overlap with CMS. It may, however, arise that regional agreements concluded under the auspices of CMS to a certain extent overlap some global or regional conventions. For this reason, the CMS Secretariat has developed instruments to communicate and co-operate effectively with the secretariats of other international conventions.

ON CMS MEMBERSHIP

What are the advantages, for a country, of joining CMS?

CMS has a unique role to play in focusing attention on endangered migratory species. Many are not dealt with adequately by other global conventions concerned with wildlife conservation, due to limitations in their scope or taxonomic coverage. Moreover, the obligations of CMS are more direct than some other multilateral instruments that conservationists often look to as vehicles to protect wildlife. For example, while CITES is an important tool for regulating international trade in species listed in its appendices, such as marine turtles, unlike CMS it has no legally-binding provisions that impact directly on harvesting of endangered species within a country.

CMS does not prohibit the sustainable use of non-endangered species; indeed, it recognizes that many of these animals are an important source of income and food for local populations. CMS may serve as an appropriate international legal instrument for the management of such species, should their increasing numbers aggravate damage to the environment and conflict with human needs. Participation in the Convention will help to ensure the sustainable use of migratory animals shared with other countries of the region.

The flexible approach of the CMS is likely to have appeal for countries that may wish to continue utilization of some migratory species. By allowing populations of a given species to be listed separately in Appendix I (and Appendix II), CMS retains a measure of flexibility to concentrate on those populations most in need of urgent action. Thus, the listing of a particular population of a species in Appendix I creates certain obligations in those Range States where the need is greatest, without necessarily requiring the same stringent measures to be enacted in other Range States where populations are healthy.

Parties to CMS also stand to gain from exchange of information and co-ordinated research and conservation programmes with other Parties in the same region, which may share populations of a significant number of migratory species. Membership of the CMS also complements a given country's participation in the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

To summarize, as a Party to the Convention on Migratory Species, any given country will:

demonstrate its commitment to the conservation, including sustainable use, of migratory species on a global scale;

strengthen its legal and technical capacity to utilize valuable natural resources on a sustainable basis, while at the same time ensuring their conservation for the benefit of future generations;

benefit from co-operation with other countries sharing the same migratory animals or experiencing similar conservation challenges;

improve access to relevant technologies and data, and benefit from a regular exchange of information and expertise;

have a full mandate, including voting rights, to participate in meetings of the Conference of the Parties, where decisions are taken on such important matters as the allocation of financial resources, preparation of triennial work programmes, adoption of financial regulations and rules of procedure, as well as specific resolutions and recommendations; and

be eligible to participate in the work of the various other organs of the Convention, such as the CMS Scientific Council, Standing Committee and working groups established thereunder.

NATIONAL REPORTS

When is the next national report due to be submitted ?

According to Article VI (3) of the Convention, the national reports should be submitted six months prior to the COP.

Has the framework for reporting been decided upon and if so, what is it ?  If not, when will the decision be taken ?

The existing guidelines for the format of national reports are contained in Resolution 4.1. However as part of the exercise to harmonise national reporting requirements for the biodiversity-related conventions, UNEP-WCMC is working with the conventions to devise a standardised format.  Any changes will have to be approved by the COP.

In parallel, WCMC is also reviewing the national reports submitted to CMS.   One outcome will be an overview of implementation of the Convention as a whole, but another possible outcome may be recommendations concerning the format of national reports.  WCMC is expected to report to the CMS Standing Committee in December this year.