On the dynamics of the moose population in the northern perifery of the range and in the ecological optimum zone

Moose (Alces alces L.) - a member of the Cervidae family (Cervidae), which occupies one of the key places in the biogeocenoses, is also an extremely important resource type of hunting economy. The study of population dynamics and its features in the moose population living in conditions of ecological optimum and the periphery of the range allows us to better understand the mechanisms of processes and the relationship of components involved in their course. In addition, It help develop reasonable measures for long-term and sustainable management of resources of the species. The aim of the work was to analyze the dynamics of moose populations in different ecological zones - in the Northern periphery of the species' range in Russia (Murmansk region, Republic of Karelia, Leningrad region) and in the conditions of the ecological optimum zone - Belarus. For the analysis, we used the materials of the Winter route accounting (ZMU) of 1965-2019 - the main method of accounting for hunting species in designated territories, official statistics, and the results of field research. Changes in the number of moose occurred largely synchronously in the studied regions, with the exception of the Murmansk region. Analysis of the dynamics of its population showed that there were cycles lasting 13 years for the Murmansk region and more than 20 years for more southern territories. The relationship between the processes of changing the number of moose and wolf in Belarus is much less pronounced than in the North of Russia in the Republic of Karelia. The construction of a model of wild board dynamics determined that the level of poaching in the Republic of Karelia has a significant impact. For Belarus, it was found that one of the main factors affecting the number is legal hunting.