Tso Moriri, Leh – Flora & Fauna

Tso Moriri, Leh – Flora & Fauna

Flora:

The deeper parts of the lake have no vegetation, but the shallow areas have pondweeds (Potamogeton spp). Marshes have several species of sedges and reeds, particularly Carex, Caragana and Astragalus spp., which are all representative of the surrounding arid steppe vegetation. Other vegetation found here are Primula, Pedicularis, Juncus thomsonii, and Leontopodium spp. Phytoplankton species of Oocystis with density was 900 cells/L to a depth of 25 m (82 ft). Specimens of the diatom Cyclotella also recorded.

Fauna:

The lake and the surrounding region is home to more than 14 species of water birds. Some of the prominent birds found here are black necked crane, bar headed goose, brown headed gull, great crested grebe, brahminy duck, ferruginous pochard, and black necked grebe. The site is said to represent the only breeding ground outside of China for one of the most endangered cranes, the Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), and the only breeding ground for Bar-headed geese in India. The lake plays a fundamental role as breeding grounds and key staging posts on migration routes for several water birds belonging to six families.

The mammals found around the surrounding region of the lake are snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, Tibetan gazelle, Eurasian lynx, great Tibetan sheep, Bharal (Himalayan blue sheep), Tibetan Ass (Kiang), woolly hare, large eared pika, plateau pika, Tibetan sand fox, Royle's mountain vole and Himalayan marmot. An endemic reptile species called Ladak ground skink can also be seen in this region.