Which of the following statements best describes 'Altitudinal Migration'?

Question

Which of the following statements best describes 'Altitudinal Migration'?

1. A. Movement of Marine species towards the equator for warmer waters
2. B. Long-distance migration across continents to avoid harsh warm weather conditions
3. C. Short-distance animal migration to higher altitudes to escape extreme heat (Correct answer)
4. D. Movement of Marine species towards the surface warm waters

Correct Answer

Option C — Short-distance animal migration to higher altitudes to escape extreme heat

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Short-distance animal migration to higher altitudes to escape extreme heat.

Key Points

• Altitudinal migration is the seasonal movement of animals up and down a mountain slope rather than across latitudes.
• Animals move to higher elevations in summer to escape heat and find fresh forage, and descend to lower, warmer valleys in winter to avoid snow and food scarcity.
• The distances involved are short — often only a few kilometres horizontally — but the change in elevation produces a large change in climate.

Additional Information

• Examples in the Himalayas and Jammu & Kashmir:
  • The Hangul (Kashmir stag) moves to the upper reaches of Dachigam National Park in summer and descends to the lower valley in winter.
  • The Himalayan Monal and Koklass Pheasant shift down the slope during heavy snowfall.
  • Gujjars and Bakarwals practise the human equivalent — transhumance — moving flocks to alpine pastures in summer.
• Why elevation substitutes for latitude: temperature falls by roughly 6.5 °C per 1,000 m of ascent (the normal lapse rate), so climbing a mountain reproduces in a few kilometres the climatic change that would otherwise require hundreds of kilometres of northward travel.
• Distinguish from other migration types:
  • Latitudinal migration — long-distance movement towards the poles or equator, as with the Arctic Tern.
  • Diurnal vertical migration — the daily up-and-down movement of marine plankton in the water column.