title: [The fauna and vertical distribution of birds in Mount Qomolangma National Nature Reserve].
abstract: From October 2010 to October 2012 (total 126 days), we used the line transect method combined with interviews applied during seven individual surveys to explore the bird resources of Qomolangma National Nature Reserve (QNNR). Based on the historical records and the present results, a total of 390 bird species belonging to 62 families and 18 orders, had been confirmed. Our results indicated that QNNR plays a vital and unique role in bird species preservation and scientific study, especially for endemic and endangered species. Species richness of both the Palearctic and Oriental realms were different, there was no overall significant difference (164 and 178, respectively). Species differences between the northern and southern slope of QNNR were especially remarkable. The northern slope was characterized with enriched endemic plateau species over small total number of bird species the southern flank held an abundance of bird species with complex composition. Moreover, on the southern slope, the peak of breeding birds richness occurred at 2,500~3,100 m a.s.l., supporting the mid-domain effect hypothesis. Meanwhile, as elevation increased, the richness of Oriental species decreased while that of Palearctic species increased. The percentages of Oriental and Palearctic species were similar at 3,100~4,000 m a.s.l.. Accordingly, we estimated that the boundary of Oriental realm and Palearctic realm was at 3,100~4,000 m a.s.l., and the species invasion from Palearctic to Oriental realm was more obvious. Perhaps most significantly, the specific distribution species along the vertical gradients also indicated their corresponding adaptation strategies.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China. 13922339577@139.com.
authors.forename: Jing-Jing
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lian-Xian
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hong-Fen
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Bo-Yong
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui-Jian
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D001717:Birds / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D011157:Population Dynamics
keywords: Avian Fauna; Himalayas; Mount Qomolangma; Vertical distribution