Altitudinal migration
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Altitudinal migration is a short-distance animal migration from lower altitudes to higher altitudes and back.[1][2] Altitudinal migrants change their elevation with the seasons making this form of animal migration seasonal.[3][4] Altitudinal migration can be most commonly observed in species inhabiting temperate or tropical ecosystems.[3] This behavior is commonly seen among avian species but can also be observed within other vertebrates and some invertebrates.[5][6][7] It is commonly thought to happen in response to climate and food availability changes as well as increasingly due to anthropogenic influence.[5][8] These migrations can occur both during reproductive and non-reproductive seasons.[9]
The patterns of altitudinal migration may be affected by climate change resulting in potentially life-threatening situations for some species.[10] Deforestation can affect the migration corridors of altitudinal migrant and could lead to smaller areas for these species to migrate.[11] Changes in the environment of altitudinally migrating species can also affect seed dispersal.[12]