The Bhutanese recognize these differences and the places that the organisms live in their paintings. As the weather in an area changes with the summer-winter cycle, animals must often change the area in which they live due to a reduced food supply and decreasing temperatures. This annual move, called migration, is especially necessary for most inhabitants of the upper reaches of the Himalayan Mountains but is observed in different species throughout the world. The move may be triggered instinctually by many things including changes in temperature, humidity, decreasing food and reduced sunlight. Students may track the migration of a variety of species on the Internet and may become involved by participating in the collection of data.
Archive data is available for analysis at any time of the year.
Students should take notes where each of the organisms are found for use in the final drawing. Have students make a list of the plants and animals that are shown at each level of the mountain. Make a note if they live in one area in the summer and another in the winter. Use circular arrows to show life zones for migrating species. Have student groups research a species and present their findings to the class.