Ecological Niches of Five Big Ungulates in a Forest Tract

1991

12 Tab., 18 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

4620

200048869

Habitat niches of five ungulates were compared within a primeval forest together with farmland surrounding it. Direct observations (N = 2.562) of animals during 1988-1990 revealed diverse strategies of habitat use by European bison (Bison bonasus), moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa). Farmland is seasonally important for wild boar, bison and red deer. The same animals heavily utilize fodder supplied by humans during winter. There is a serious overlapping of forest habitat use by the four herbivores. Omnivorous boar differs in its use of forest habitat.