Distribution assessment and mapping of the hunting resources of rock ptarmigan and willow ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus (Mont.) and L. lagopus (L.)) on the West Siberian plain

Abundance and stocks of rock ptarmigan and willow ptarmigan were evaluated according to the results of the birds' inventory carried on in the territory of all natural and geographical zones and subzones (with granularity to the landscape groups: undeveloped dry areas, noninundated marshes and the floodplain of the river Ob) on the West Siberian Plain in the Russian Federation since July 16 to August 31 during the period 1959–2005. In total, ptarmigan stocks are more than 8 million, stocks of Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus (L.)) and Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix (L.)) are by 6 and 7 times less, but stocks of Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia (L.)) are nearly 2 times more on the Russian part of West Siberian plain. Е. Ravkin, О. Brigadirova, V. Petrunin (2013) give some distinct data on willow ptarmigan abundance in tundra (20 % less) and in forest tundra (10 % less) in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. These differences are suspect. In the northern and middle taiga they are reliable and much greater (2 and 4 times more,respectively). In this research the boundaries of the study area are not the same as in ours. These authors mark a decreased abundance of ptarmigan to the east, it may determine the reduction in our estimates. Generally, all the estimates may be considered similar.