Mt. Qomolangma's biodiversity better than expected

Research has found that biodiversity in Mt. Qomolangma, the world's highest peak, is being better preserved than expected.

The research on wildlife resources in a national nature reserve in Mt. Qomolangma, which began in 2009, is the most comprehensive program in the region in two decades.

"It was aimed at finding out more about its wildlife resources, a major step toward better preservation," said Cao Tiantang, chief of Mt. Qomolangma nature reserve's ecology research and protection center.

Two previous biodiversity research programs were carried out in Mt. Qomolangma, in 1975 and the other from 1991 to 1993.

"Their findings were limited, given a lack of equipment and little access to traffic," said Lhapa, a researcher at the nature reserve.

Lhapa and his colleagues often found they could only use old data from the 1970s in their research. "Obviously, they do not represent the current biodiversity status and are in dire need of updating."

The ongoing research, a 1.8-million yuan ($283,911) project sponsored by State Forestry Administration and local forestry authorities, covered 32,000 square kilometers in the Mt. Qomolangma nature reserve.

"Our biggest finding was the discovery of nearly 120 new vertebrates," said Hu Huijian, a leader of the research team.

The team found more than 460 vertebrates in the nature reserve, compared with 360 that were previously known, he said.

Among other major findings were new snake and bird species. Hu said most discoveries were found in four ravines on the Himalayas' south face. "Warm currents from the Indian Ocean nurtured many wildlife species in the ravines."

Hu and his team are expecting more findings here. "We'll carry out more field trips, one ravine at a time."

Despite the tough plateau climate, the researchers found, the region's food chain was well-preserved and biodiversity was better than most people could imagine.

"There are huge varieties of artiodactylous animals and cats, as well as 30 to 40 raptor species," said Hu.

"We see many Tibetan wild donkeys, hares and marmots in our field trips," said Pan Hujun, 26, who has spent two years studying amphibians and reptiles in the Mt. Qomolangma nature reserve.

"It's amazing how well wildlife species thrive here. This is indeed a holy place with so many mysteries," said Pan.

The Qomolangma nature reserve, created in 1988, was recognized in 1999 by the United Nations as one of the world's most successful examples of sustainable development. It sits at an average altitude of 4,200 meters and is home to five of the world's 14 tallest peaks measuring over 8,000 meters.

Scientists say biodiversity research in Mt. Qomolangma is essential in their study of global climate change.