Fauna of mammals of Tugai forest in the left bank of Syrdarya river (Uzbekistan)

An example of protected area “Saykhun”, located in the valley of Syrdarya river in Uzbekistan, addresses conservation of relict tugai (floodplain) forests in Central Asia. The authors describe typical mammals community of tugai forest in the Syrdarya river valley, which includes 3 species of insectivores, 1 species of lagiformes, 7 species of rodents, 5 species of predators and 1 species of ungulates. Over time, the mammals fauna of this territory has undergone changes related to human economic activity (destruction of tugai, direct killing and introduction of alien species). Indicators of biodiversity indices of the community of small mammals indicate its low stability and, as a result, its vulnerability, including anthropogenic factors. As concluded, it is necessary to preserve and restore floodplain forests.