The dynamic component in the mammal fauna of the Skole Beskyds (Ukrainian Carpathians)

Abstract

The territory of the Skole Beskyds National Park is one of the most densely forested regions of the Ukrainian Carpathians, little affected by human activity and having a high landscape diversity and a considerably rich fauna. Investigation of the alien component of the local fauna and analysis of its impact on indigenous species, habitats and ecosystems is an urgent problem that requires discussion. The industrial activity within the Skole Beskyds was accompanied by a constant increase in anthropogenic impact on forest ecosystems of the park. Changes in the natural coenotic structure of forests led to a significant contraction of ranges of several species of the local mammal fauna and the areas became accessible for other species. The consequence of the appearance of alien species in a completely new area are the changes in composition of zonal complexes due to the loss of the rare components and the gradual transition of the zonal complexes to the gray biota state. The article analyzes the occurrence of alien species that became possible under anthropogenic conditions and depended on humans (programs for the enrichment of hunting grounds, experiments on the introduction of new species, etc.), as well as those caused by spontaneous spread and invasion. There are five groups of adventive species in the composition of the local fauna — expansive (Eptesicus serotinus, Martes foina, Sciurus vulgaris carpathicus); re-appeared (Capreolus capreolus, Lutra lutra, Meles meles, Sus scrofa); invasive (Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus); reintroduced (Bison bonasus, (Rupicapra rupicapra), introduced (Oryctolagus cuniculus, Myocastor coypus, Ondatra zibethicus, Cervus nippon, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Dama dama). Projects on the enrichment of the territory's fauna with alien species ended in failure. Thus, under the park’s conditions, indigenous species show a high ability to restore population abundance. Introduction of only three species in the territory of the park was successful — raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from the family Caniformes, muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)from the family Muriformes and fallow deer (Dama dama) from the family Cervidae.

Keywords

• mammals
• alien species
• species diversity
• protected ecosystems
• skolivski beskydy
• ukrainian carpathians