Are Galliformes of the High Himalayas Well Protected? Identifying Conservation Priority Areas Using an Assemblage‐Level Approach

Journal article

Summary: Conservation efforts often focus on charismatic animals, such as large carnivores, while many other species that play important ecological roles receive little attention. In this study, we focus on a group of ground‐dwelling birds (Galliformes) that are common and ecologically important in the high‐altitude regions of the Indian Himalayas but are often overlooked in conservation planning centered on snow leopards. Using large‐scale camera‐trap surveys across 26,000 km², we examined which environmental factors influence where these bird species occur, identified areas with high species diversity and unique species, and assessed how well these areas are covered by existing protected areas. We found that vegetation cover and seasonal temperature changes strongly influence the distribution of these birds. Importantly, most areas with high species diversity and unique bird species fall outside the current protected area network in our study area. We also show that the transition zone between the Greater and Trans‐Himalaya is particularly important for conserving these birds, many of which live in landscapes managed primarily for snow leopard conservation. Our findings highlight the need to look beyond single flagship species and consider groups of co‐occurring, functionally important species to better protect mountain ecosystems.

Authors: Sharma, M; Rao, AS; Patel, J; Khanyari, M; Bijoor, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Integrative Conservation
• Article number: inc3.70072
• Publication date: 2026-03-23
• Acceptance date: 2026-01-06
• DOI: 10.1002/inc3.70072
• EISSN: 2770-9329
• ISSN: 2770-9329
• Language: English
• Keywords: 雪豹栖息地; endemism; 物种多样性; 雉科; 集成模型; species diversity; snow leopard habitat; camera trap; 特有性; 红外相机; ensemble models; Phasianidae