Global Register of Migratory Species / Weltregister Wandernder Tierarten

Seasonal migrations are observed within a wide variety of animals, such as grazing mammals, bats, whales and dolphins, seals, birds, turtles, fish and insects. The number of migratory species can only be estimated around 5000 species, including approximately 1000 fish species). The Global Register of Migratory Species contains a first list of 2880 migratory vertebrate species in digital format, together with their threat status according to the International Red List 2000, and digital maps for 545 species. Maps are compatible with any geographical information system (GIS), which allows geographic queries and threat analysis by intersection with other GIS layers (examples are included on the GROMS CD). Global Register of Migratory Species contains first results from a global analysis of threat status, maps for 90 species in printed format, and a complete printed list of migratory mammals, birds and reptiles. Like other species, migrants suffer from habitat destruction, pollution, overfishing and hunting. But their effective protection during their long journeys and at their remote wintering and breeding sites requires international cooperation. "The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals" (CMS or Bonn Convention) provides the necessary international framework. The 600 migratory species listed on its appendices are marked up in the GROMS, and Appendix I species are treated in further detail. A web version of the geodatabase is available at www.groms.de.