Wild boar's (Sus scrofa) burrowing activity effect on physicochemical parameters of soil in wood-sorrel spruce forest in Belozersk district of Vologda region

The environment-transforming role of the wild boar (S. Scrofa. L.) burrowing activity on several biogeocenosis parameters has been noted. Assessment of the wild boar’s activity on some soil physicochemical parameters has been given. Standard procedures of route scanning, visual study, and soil sample analysis in laboratory conditions have been used. As a result of the research work it has been revealed that the wild boar’s burrowing activity promotes positive dynamics of physicochemical and agrochemical soil parameters necessary for the effective growth and vegetation development in predominately herbaceous and ligneous vegetation. Thus, in the soil under new (up to 1 month) burrows the increase in humus and in phosphorus and potassium mobile forms content has been noted. Along with the positive dynamics in the chemical soil properties a positive change in physical soil properties has been observed - soil hardness reduction, moisture increase, and soil acidity drop. Thus, plant seeds getting into the loosened soil enriched with necessary nourishing elements germinate more effectively and develop faster.