The influence of environmental factors on the dynamics of the size and spatial structure of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra caucasica) population on the Caucasian Reserve

The size and structure of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra caucasica) population as well as the influence of anthropogenic factors on it were studied on the Caucasian Reserve (Western Caucasus). The negative effect of the snow cover, the thickness of which differed from the usual level, is shown. The effect of winters with thick snow cover is confirmed by the relation between these factors and the proportion of yearlings in the population one year after the winter. An increased death rate of animals in winters with a deep snow cover is observed in the case when their density exceeds the optimal one. Wolf predation does not affect the chamois population on the reserve. The number of wolves increases with an increase in the chamois population density to 15–20 ind./1000 ha. The adverse impact of humans on the chamois population is manifested in the regions with motor roads. The chamois, as compared to the deer, suffers from poachers to a lesser degree because it inhabits inaccessible areas and its trophy value is low.     

Effect of environmental factors on population dynamics and structure of the Caucasian red deer (Cervus elaphus maral) in the Caucasian state biosphere reserve

Studies on the effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on the red deer (C. elaphus maral) population have been performed in the Caucasian Reserve. The results show that the population is well adapted to the impact of limiting environmental factors, such as high-snow winters and predation by wolves, but its dynamics are highly dependent on anthropogenic factors, primarily poaching. It is concluded that current biotechnical measures are inefficient and that economic activities and protective services in the reserve need optimization.     

Anthropogenic Transformation and Prospects for Conservation of the Chamois Population (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rupicapra rupicapra caucasica</Emphasis>) in the Northwestern Caucasus

The scale of anthropogenic transformation of the Caucasian chamois population is shown based on the example of a local grouping of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra caucasica Lydekker 1910) from the Lagonaki Plateau (northwestern Caucasus). It has been established that the theoretical area of the range of the local chamois grouping under study is 58000 ha and the fodder capacity is 45 individuals/1000 ha. The actual area of the range is currently approximately 20000 ha, thereby having decreased by 66% over the last 100 years. At the present time, the density of the grouping does not exceed five individuals/1000 ha; i.e., it is nine times lower than its theoretically possible value. No positive dynamics of the population is observed, despite the nature reserve status of this area over the past 23 years. It has been concluded that the metapopulation structure of chamois is gradually simplified and the prospect of the long-term conservation of the species in the northwestern Caucasus is under threat.     

Influence of environmental factors on number dynamics and spatial structure of the tur (Capra caucasica) population in the Caucasian Reserve

The number and structure of the tur (Capra caucasica Guldenstaedt et Pallas 1783) population on the territory of Caucasian Reserve (Western Caucasus), as well as peculiarities of the effect of natural and anthropogenic factors on the population, were studied based on ideas of meta-population species dynamics. Fourteen local tur groupings were united into three groups by the similarity of long-term number dynamics. A negative effect of winter, which deviated from the average long-term winter by the level of snowiness, on the tur population was detected. Snowy winters damage not only males (that frequently die in avalanches), but also affect the birth rate subsequently; the portion of females, in spite of the male death, decreases anyway two years after winter, as well as the portion of underyearlings. It was demonstrated that the snowy winter effect is manifested only when the animal density is rather high. The following tendency was detected for the tur population: the greater the density before the winter, the larger the decrease in the animal density after it (and this tendency weakens one year after the winter). Wolf predation has no negative effect on the tur population in the reserve. A maximal association between the tur density and wolf density was found at a tur density up to 50 individuals/1000 hectares. With a further increase in the victim density, the wolf density changes independently of the tur density. Turs in the reserve are not easily accessible to poachers due to habitat peculiarities, and therefore, the role of poaching in the dynamics of their numbers is not significant.     

Coat Polymorphism in Eurasian Lynx: Adaptation to Environment or Phylogeographic Legacy?

Journal of Mammalian Evolution - We studied the relationship between the variability and contemporary distribution of pelage phenotypes in one of most widely distributed felid species and an array...     

Modern Dynamics of the Red Deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Сervus elaphus maral</Emphasis>) Population in the Caucasian State Nature Reserve

The dynamics of 19 local red deer (Сervus elaphus maral Ogilbi 1840) groupings in the Caucasian State Nature Biosphere Reserve in the period of 1996?2015 has been researched; the groupings were divided into three groups by their size: large, average, and small ones. It was found that the population decline at the end of 20th century has resulted in levelling of local deer groupings: all of them became small but none disappeared completely. Further population growth has resulted in the formation of large and average local groupings in central parts of the nature reserve; a gradual restoration of optimal ratios between those can be observed. In some peripheral areas of the biosphere reserve, the red deer population is not recovering, while the average size of the small groupings is decreasing. At least four local deer groupings have lost their independent status in the metapopulation structure of the species due to anthropogenic factors and continue their existence owing to neighboring local groupings on the basis of the “source?sink” system operation principle.     

The Ratio of Ungulates to Wolves in the Caucasian Nature Reserve

Biology Bulletin - The ratio between ungulates as potential victims and wolves as the main predators has been studied in different parts of the Caucasian Nature Reserve: northern, eastern, and...