THE ROLE OF BISON BONASUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) IN THE MOSAIC FORMATION OF NATURAL FOREST COVER IN EASTERN EUROPE. FIRST ARTICLE. THE DYNAMICS OF THE AREA, AND FEATURES OF THE FOOD AND TOPICAL ACTIVITY OF THE EUROPEAN BISON IN THE LATE HOLOCENE IN EASTERN EUROPE

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the published studies on the dynamics of the distribution area of the European bison (Bison bonasus L.) in Eastern Europe since the early Holocene up to the present time and the reasons of its disappearance. Trophic and topical activity of the European bison, as well as its impact on the environment-forming vegetation are considered in the article. We prepared the base of species of fodder plants, consumed by bison in the forest belt of Eastern Europe, counting 624 species of vascular plants. We compiled comprehensive lists of fodder plants species and the lists of species with high forage value for bison living in the Polish and Belarusian parts of the Bialowieza Forest, in the Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve and the North Caucasus.

Keywords

• bison
• distribution area
• the Holocene
• history of settlement and extermination of bison
• trophic and topical effects of bisons on plants and community
• the base of forage plants: the environmental and eco-coenotic groups of species