Written by: Karim Hammam
A recent scientific study has revealed that the analysis of Himalayan Marmot dung in the high peaks of Ladakh and Uttarakhand provides new and effective indicators for understanding the impact of climate change on the Himalayan ecosystem, as the dung contains pollen, fungal spores, and nutrients that reflect the composition of vegetation, as well as paleo and current climates.
Study Details and Methodology
The study was conducted by researchers from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences in Lucknow, and other institutions, and its results were published in the journal "PLOS ONE" on October 28, 2026. 45 samples of marmot dung were collected during August and September 2023 from two regions: the Pensila Pass in the Suru River basin of Ladakh (25 samples) at an altitude of 4000-4200 meters, and the Rimkhim area in the Dawali Ganga valley in Uttarakhand (20 samples) at an altitude of 3600-4000 meters. Samples were collected at intervals of about 25 meters to ensure representation of the surrounding vegetation.
Dung Analysis and Plant Composition Results
Microscopic analysis using the standard acetolysis method showed the presence of 245-284 pollen grains and palynomorph structures in each sample, and 212-265 fungal spores in each slide. The results revealed that the marmot relies on a mixed diet that includes plants: Artemisia, Caryophyllaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae, and Ephedra, which are plants characteristic of alpine steppes in high, cold, and dry regions of the Himalayas. Elemental analyses also showed differences in the ratios of oxygen, carbon, calcium, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorus, and potassium between the two regional samples.
The Marmot as a Sensitive Indicator of Climate Change
Dr. Manish Mehta, a scientist at the Wadia Institute, explained that the presence of the fungus "Sporormiella" in the dung is usually associated with the activity of large herbivores, but the study proved that small mammals such as the marmot represent an important source for this fungus in areas where large animals are scarce. The Himalayan Marmot is classified as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List, lives between the tree line and the glacier line at altitudes of 4200-5200 meters, and its surface activity decreases when temperatures exceed 22-25 degrees Celsius.
Implications of Rising Temperatures on Habitats
The study indicates that the average temperature in the Himalayas is rising annually at a rate of 0.06 degrees Celsius, compared to 0.02 degrees globally, and rose in the western Himalayas by about 0.46 degrees per decade between 1971 and 2007. This has led to the tree line moving upward by 400 meters over 60 years, and the retreat of glaciers and alpine habitats, which may force the marmot and other species to migrate to higher altitudes, but the possibility of ascending is not open to all species. The combined analysis of pollen, fungal spores, and nutrients provides a powerful tool for reconstructing paleo-ecosystems and predicting future changes, supporting conservation policies, wildlife management, and climate adaptation plans.
