Riede, K.: The Global Register of Migratory Species – Database, GIS Maps and Threat Analysis. Münster: Landwirtschaftsverlag 2001, ISBN 3-7843-3826-7, 404 pp. + CD.

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 5,000 species, including approximately 1,000 fish species. The "Global Register of Migratory Species" contains a first list of 2,880 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). The book 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 othe 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. A web version of the geodatabase is available at www.groms.de .