Successional dynamics of small mammals in a series of coniferous biogeocenoses of the «Preduralie» protected area

The article deals with the successional dynamics of small mammals in a number of coniferous biogeocenoses of the «Preduralie» protected area. Censuses of small mammals were conducted by trapping, trap line and animal trap in 1969, 1980-1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1990. On the basis of the executed censuses, the dynamics of number of small mammals in the dark coniferous forest, in clearings on the site of the dark coniferous forest, in the birch forest on the site of the dark coniferous forest, in light coniferous forest and in light coniferous-small-leaved forest was analyzed and made up. In a number of coniferous biogeocenoses 14 species were recorded: 5 insectivores, 8 rodents and 1 predator. Small mammal species reach their maximum abundance in the light coniferous-small-leaved forest stages. The red vole, common woodpecker, common woodpecker and wood mouse are the most abundant in the coniferous biogeocenosis of the «Preduralie» protected area. Weasel, Common Marten, Tundra Vole and Dark Vole are less common. We analysed the dynamics of small mammal occurrence depending on sex and age. Young mammals were rather more common than females, and young males were found slightly more often due to their high activity and dispersal. The biodiversity of small mammals of the study area is at a sufficiently high level.