Small mammals in undisturbed and restored tundra biogeocenoses

Small mammal communities have been studied in undisturbed and restored zonal biogeocenoses in the southern subzone of eastern European tundras. The results show that the consequences of anthropogenic disturbances to the environment have an adverse effect on parameters of abundance, spatial distribution, and population dynamics of species comprising zonal communities. Soil and plant components of the disturbed biogeocenosis recover more rapidly than its small mammal community.     

Cladocerans under conditions of small river damming by man and beavers

In beaver ponds, the species diversity, abundance, biomass, and production of cladocerans and the amount of food consumed by them have increased and the composition of dominant species has changed as compared to those in the stretches of small rivers with running water or dammed by man. The stimulating effect of water from a beaver pond has been confirmed in laboratory experiments. The average number of juvenile Ceriodaphnia affinis produced by one female was considerably greater in this water than in the water from flowing and dammed (by man) river stretches.     

The state of European beaver (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Castor fiber</Emphasis> L., 1758) population in Kurgan oblast

The results of studies on European beaver population dynamics in Kurgan oblast are presented. Recommendations are given concerning rational management of beaver stock.     

The European roe deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capreolus capreolus</Emphasis> L.) at the northern boundary of its range in Eastern Fennoscandia

The dispersal, population dynamics, and ecological features of the European roe deer at the northern limit of species distribution and also their visits, wintering, and breeding outside the range boundary are discussed. A significant increase in the abundance of roe deer in the northern part of the range and their largescale expansion beyond the historical distribution limit have taken place during the past decade. However, their spread in Karelia and Arkhangelsk oblast is strictly limited, depending primarily on snow depth and duration. Hunting the roe deer as a game species in the region is possible only in the south of Pskov oblast, where habitat conditions are most favorable for it.     

The State of the Mammal Community of Boreal Forest Ecosystems in the Vicinity of a Nickel-Smelting Plant

The effect of industrial air pollution on natural small mammal populations has been studied in the northern taiga subzone of the boreal forest zone. The results of long-term monitoring have been used to demonstrate the possibility of predicting changes in the main population and community characteristics of the animal species studied as dependent on the degree of anthropogenic impact.     

Responses of small mammal community to environmental pollution by emissions from a copper smelter

Analysis of the effect of emissions from the Karabash Copper Smelter (Southern Urals) on the small mammal community has shown that its abundance and structure change significantly under technogenic impact. Structural transformations are accompanied by changes in the composition of dominant species. The “dose-effect“ pattern of community response to this impact is nonlinear: for most species of murine rodents and small insectivores, habitat quality becomes satisfactory at a distance of 9–11 km from the emission plume.     

Time trends (1986-2003) of radiocesium transfer to roe deer and wild boar in two Austrian forest regions

Starting shortly after the Chernobyl accident, samples of roe deer and wild boar from two comparatively highly contaminated Austrian forest stands have been regularly analysed for (137)Cs. Until 1995 average (137)Cs concentrations exceeded 1000 Bq kg(-1) in both roe deer and wild boar. Long-term and seasonal trends are similar in both investigation sites. While (137)Cs aggregated transfer factor (T(ag)) values show a significant decreasing trend in roe deer (ecological half-time 8.6 and 7.2 years, respectively), T(ag)-values in wild boar are highly variable, but rather increasing values are observed over the last years. T(ag)-values for roe deer are between 0.04 and 0.008 m(2)kg(-1) fresh weight (1987-2003); values for wild boar are between 0.008 m(2)kg(-1) (1988) and 0.046 m(2)kg(-1) (1996) fresh weight. Seasonal trends for both species are in good agreement with observations from German forests: increased mushroom ingestion leads to higher (137)Cs T(ag)-values for roe deer in the second half of the year (August-December) compared to the first half (January-July). T(ag)-values for wild boar are highest in the first half of the year.     

Dioxins and PCBs in game animals: Interspecies comparison and related consumer exposure

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCB) and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCB) are ubiquitous, persistent toxic compounds that are highly bioaccumulative in nature. Wild-living animals are vulnerable to the negative impacts of human activity. Dioxins and PCBs enter the animal organisms through foraging. Due to the toxicological threat, much attention is paid to these compounds worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the dioxin contamination status of three game animal species (red deer, roe deer, and wild boar) and compare the PCDD/F and PCB congener bioaccumulation in the muscles, abdominal fat and liver. The chemical analysis was performed by the isotope dilution technique (IDMS) with high-resolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Dioxins and PCBs were found in specimens collected from all studied species, suggesting the presence of the test compounds in the environment of the animals. The highest concentrations were found in the livers of all animals. The toxic equivalent (TEQ) levels in the muscles, adipose tissue and liver were in the order red deer > roe deer > wild boar. PCDD/Fs were the dominant congeners in TEQ value. For all tested species, the dominant contributors to the total WHO-TEQ were PCB-126, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD. Among the PCDD/F congeners in the deer tissues, OCDD, OCDF and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF were dominant, while in wild boar, OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCF occurred in the highest amounts. Among PCBs, PCB-105, 118, 156, 138, 153 and 180 were dominant in all species, but with different levels. The regular consumption of muscle meat from game animals should not cause unacceptable dioxin intake above the Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) value for children and adults. However, liver consumption should be avoided, especially by children and pregnant or lactating women. High consumption of contaminated liver may cause dioxin intake at levels up to 300% of TWI for adults and up to 700% TWI for children.     

General analysis of forest vegetation in the south of the Far East with regard to the feeding of wild ruminants (Artiodactyla, Ruminantia)

Vegetation in the main types of forest landscapes in the south of the Far East has been analyzed with regard to the dependence of population density and spatial distribution of five wild ruminant species on the main parameters of phytomass. The results have shown that the majority of ruminant species at their current population density never suffer from insufficient food supply. A high population density of the sika deer (Cervus nippon) is the only factor that may cause degradation of vegetation in the study region. The present-day population density of ruminants in their habitats does not depend on the amount of phytomass and species diversity of forage plants. Conversely, there is a strong relationship between the highest population density of ruminants recorded during the past 50 years and the phytomass stock of forage plants in their habitats.     

Comparative analysis of small mammal communities in Chisinau and Yaroslavl, two European cities located in different biomes

Comparative analysis of the structure of small mammal communities has been performed in two European cities located in different biomes: Chisinau (2008?C2009) and Yaroslavl (1994?C2002). The parameters studied included abundance, species composition, similarity and difference of faunas, species diversity, and proportions of groups differing in predisposition to synanthropy. It has been found that the structure of small mammal communities in these cities depends on specific physiographic conditions of the surrounding areas and on the distinctive features of the cities themselves (their structure, age, etc.). The similarity between the faunas is accounted for by the common ecological patterns of fauna formation in the biota of urban cenoses.     

Effect of Habitat Fragmentation and Isolation on the Population of Alpine Musk Deer

The alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) is a key species of some terrestrial ecosystems, it has an important economic and conservative significance as a kind of medical animal in China. Due to the interaction between natural forces and human disturbance, the habitats of alpine musk deer are fragmented and isolated in different mountains and the populations are confronted with many problems of survival. In this paper, we discuss the impact of habitat fragmentation and isolation on alpine musk deer populations based on the investigation on the population densities and sizes and environmental factors in different reserves, as well as on the analysis of its ecological adaptability. We found that the alpine musk deer has strong ecological adaptability; the population development of alpine musk deer may benefit from the reduction of the forest area and even from the fragmentation and isolation of the habitat to a certain extent. However, deforestion should not be encouraged only for the alpine musk deer population, but should also be based on the overall consideration of biodiversity conservation.     

生态工程建设背景下贵州高原的植被变化及影响因素分析

基于MODIS-NDVI和气象数据,运用趋势分析、偏相关分析和残差分析等方法,对生态工程建设背景下贵州高原的植被变化及影响因素进行分析,并定量探讨气候因素与人类活动对植被变化的影响。结果表明：(1)2000~2016年期间,贵州高原植被NDVI在空间上呈东高西低的分布特征,高值分布于野生动植物及自然保护区等,低值分布于湿地保护工程区。NDVI总体呈上升趋势,湿地保护工程区、退耕还林工程区等植被覆盖上升速率较快,野生动植物及自然保护区呈略微的下降趋势。(2)植被改善区域(83.74%)分布于研究区边缘及西北部,退化区域(16.26%)分布于研究区中部和东南部,其中退耕还林还草工程区植被改善最为明显,野生动植物保护及自然保护区和速生丰产工程区改善效果较差。(3)从气侯因素分析来看,气温和降水在总体上与NDVI均呈正相关,气温对贵州高原植被生长的影响大于降水。(4) 从人类活动分析来看,人类活动对植被的建设作用强于破坏作用,人类活动正作用（76.68%）主要分布于西北部,负作用（23.32%）集中分布于东南部。植被覆盖增加是气候因素和人类活动共同作用的结果,人类活动对植被的贡献率为75.53%,气候因素为24.47%。     

再论白暨豚和江豚的保护

白暨豚（Ｌｉｐｏｔｅｓｖｅｘｉｌｉｆｅｒ）的种群数量已降到了很低的水平，濒临灭绝，长江的自然环境，由于人类活动的加剧而日趋恶化。长江环境已经不可能保存白暨豚，但可能在一个半自然保护区保存下来。中国政府正在考虑集中人力和财力优先建设一个最好的白暨豚半自然保护区，即石首天鹅洲白暨豚半自然保护区，因为目前白暨豚的种群现状已不可能支持１个以上的半自然保护区。１头成熟的雌性白暨豚已于１９９５年捕获并移入石首天鹅洲保护区。江豚（Ｎｅｏｐｈｏｃａｅｕａｐｈｏ－ｃａｅｎｏｉｄｅｓ）也面临着白暨豚所面临的全部威胁。近年来其种群数量亦在迅速减少。为了防止江豚发生像现在白暨豚保护所面临的困境，我们已经在石首保护区成功建立了江豚的饲养群体。     

The State of Populations and Selective Hunting of Game Ungulates in the Middle Urals

The population dynamics of moose, wild boar, and roe deer in the Middle Urals and changes in the proportion of females among the animals taken by hunters were analyzed. For all the three species, a tendency toward selective hunting for females was revealed. In this situation, the proportion of females in a population decreases with time, and its reproductive potential is impaired.     

Assessment of the hunting of mammals using local ecological knowledge: an example from the Brazilian semiarid region

The hunting of wild animals remains a common activity in various parts of the world, especially in rural communities with poor socioeconomic conditions. To investigate patterns of mammal hunting, this study adopted a rural community located in semiarid Brazil as a model to test whether variables such as perceived abundance, activity period (day or night) and animal biomass could influence the consumption potential of mammal taxa. For this study, a checklist/interview technique using 32 photographs of mammals recorded in the region and two photographs of species that did not occur in the region, which acted as “control” species, was used, in addition to other visual stimuli and free lists. All species presented in the photographs, with the exception of the “control” species, were recognized as occurring in the region. Fourteen species were cited as being those most hunted locally. The species cited as most hunted had an average perceived abundance higher than the group of the least-hunted species. However, there was no significant relationship between hunting of a species and its locally perceived abundance. No significant difference in hunting pressure between diurnal and nocturnal species was found, nor was a relationship between animal biomass and hunting pressure observed. Our findings suggest that perceived abundance is an important factor for choosing a resource fauna, but other factors such as intended use, meat flavor and vulnerability to hunting, among others, may influence the potential use of a species.     

Impacts of invasive plants on ecosystems in natural reserves in Jiangsu of China

To estimate the impacts of invasive plants on ecosystems, a survey has been conducted in three sites including both buffer zones and core zones. 13, 19 species are found in the Yuntai Mountain and Longchi Mountain natural reserve respectively, and 23 in the Purple Mountain Natural Park. Altogether 25 species belonging to 12 families, the majority of which are native to North America, some of them have set up stable reproducible populations. Among them, Solidago canadensis is found in Longchi Mountain and Purple Mountain. Communities of Galinsoga parviflora, Gynura crepidioides, Ageratum conyzoides, and Ambrosia artemisiifolia pose a serious threat to local biodiversity.     

Expansion and some ecological features of the wild boar beyond the northern boundary of its historical range in European Russia

During a historically observable period, profound and often irreversible changes in the faunal composition, distribution, and abundance of game animals were taking place throughout the territory of northern Europe. These changes were especially conspicuous in case of large mammals because of their large body size and roles in biocenoses and human economic activities. This paper deals with the results of monitoring the range and abundance of the wild boar and some ecological observations on this species at the northern limit of its distribution in European Russia.     

The role of spring and rain floods in the development of zooplankton in beaver ponds

The role of spring floods as a factor determining the seasonal succession of zooplankton in beaver ponds is demonstrated. The absence of spring floods has an adverse effect on the zooplankton communities of beaver ponds. The taxonomic and trophic organization of communities becomes similar to that in areas exposed to anthropogenic imact. The rain floods in summer and autumn can return the system to early stages of seasonal succession.     

氮素形态及浓度对互花米草生长的影响

近年来，由于人类生产生活的影响，以化肥农药使用为主的面源污染和以工业排放为主的点源污染日益加剧，全球尤其是海岸带氮含量逐渐升高，对滨海植被的生长产生了巨大的影响。在这个背景下，通过温室模拟实验研究不同供氮水平对互花米草的影响，对研究氮对入侵植物的影响作用机制有重大意义。互花米草在两种氮肥不同氮水平处理下，株高、叶面积、生物量等生长指标以及根冠比、根长/株高等指标的变化情况不同。结果表明：随着氮量增加，米草株高、叶面积、总生物量和地上部分生物量呈先上升后下降的趋势，地下部分生物量、根冠比和根长/株高比则呈下降趋势；各项指标在无机氮肥不同氮水平处理之间存在显著差异，但在有机氮肥的各处理间差异无显著性。这说明适当的供氮水平有利于互花米草的生长，而高氮则抑制其生长     

Siberian musk deer in the diets of tiger and bears in the Sikhote-Alin

The role of the Siberian musk deer in the diets of the Amur tiger, brown bear, and Asian black bear has been studied in the Sikhote-Alin State Biosphere Reserve in 1992 to 2016. Information has been collected from 763 tiger feeding sites, and the contents of tiger feces have been analyzed. Radiotelemetry has been used to evaluate tiger–musk deer relationships. The musk deer accounted for 0.26% of all animal species found to be eaten by the tiger. Musk deer remains in feces of the tiger, brown bear, and Asian black bear occurred with frequencies of 1.3, 0.2, and 0.3%, respectively. A case of musk deer avoiding the presence of brown bear is described.