Spatial organization and demography of badgers (Meles meles) in Bialowieza Primeval Forest, Poland, and the influence of earthworms on badger densities in Europe

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafal Kowalczyk ◽  
Andrzej Zalewski ◽  
Bogumila Jedrzejewska ◽  
Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
Annual Productivity ◽  
Temperate Europe ◽  
Large Groups ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest

From 1996 to 2001 we studied the spatial organization and demography of Eurasian badgers, Meles meles, in Białowieża Primeval Forest in eastern Poland, one of the best preserved woodlands in temperate Europe. Badger density estimated on the basis of main sett distribution (0.54 sett/10 km2) and group size (3.9 individuals per sett, on average) was 2.11 badgers/10 km2. Average annual productivity of the population was 64% and the mortality rate of badgers >1 year old was 22–38% per annum. The size of territories of badger groups (n = 7), estimated by radio telemetry, varied from 8.4 to 25.5 km2 (mean 12.8 km2). Individual home ranges of badgers (n = 13) covered, on average, 9.3 km2, and varied seasonally and among animals of different age and sex classes (from 4.0 to 24.4 km2). Home ranges of adult badgers were significantly larger than those of subadults. Badgers occupied larger home ranges in summer, when earthworm availability was low. The size of both group territories and individual home ranges was influenced by the distribution of oak–lime–hornbeam (OLH) forests, habitats rich in earthworms. Based on our findings and a review of literature, we propose that the standing crop of biomass of earthworms (Lumbricus spp.), the main food of badgers in a large part of their geographic range, and mean annual temperature are crucial factors shaping the densities of badgers in the European temperate and boreal zones. We also suggest that abundance of food resources is the essential factor underlying the great variation in badger sociality (from pairs to large groups).

scholarly journals Home Ranges of Wolves in Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland, Compared with Other Eurasian Populations

1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henryk Okarma ◽  
Włodzimierz Jȩdrzejewski ◽  
Krzysztof Schmidt ◽  
Stanisław Śnieżko ◽  
Aleksei N. Bunevich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Ranges ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest

Population dynamics (1869-1994), demography, and home ranges of the lynx in Bialowieza Primeval Forest (Poland and Belarus)

Ecography ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wiodzimierz Jedrzejewski ◽  
Bogumila Jedrzejewska ◽  
Henryk Okarma ◽  
Krzysztof Schmidt ◽  
Aieksei N. Bunevich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest

Facilitative interactions between the Eurasian badger (Meles meles), the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and the invasive raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (12) ◽  
pp. 1389-1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kowalczyk ◽  
B. Jędrzejewska ◽  
A. Zalewski ◽  
W. Jędrzejewski
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽  
Raccoon Dog ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
Facilitative Interactions ◽  
Raccoon Dogs ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest

Based on radio-tracking of Eurasian badgers ( Meles meles (L., 1758)), red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758)), and raccoon dogs ( Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834)) and observations at burrows conducted in Białowieża Primeval Forest (eastern Poland) in 1996–2002, we addressed the hypothesis that facilitative interactions between a native (badger) and an alien (raccoon dog) species contributed to the invasion success of the latter. In winter, 88% of badger setts were occupied by both badgers and raccoon dogs, 4% by badgers and red foxes, and 4% by all three species. In summer, only 20% of badger setts were cohabited by other carnivore species (10% by raccoon dogs and 10% by foxes). Duration of occupation of badger setts by raccoon dogs averaged 117 days (SE = 21 days). Seasonal variation in raccoon dog use of badger setts was explained by changes in ambient temperature: the lower was the temperature, the higher was the rate of sett occupation by raccoon dogs. When wintering in the same sett, badgers and raccoon dogs used different parts of the sett. We conclude that facilitation by badgers (through habitat amelioration and refuge from cold and predation) makes the realized niche of raccoon dogs larger than predicted from their fundamental niche. The facilitating role of badger is stronger in winter, which is a critical period for raccoon dog survival in the temperate and boreal zone.

scholarly journals Winter home ranges and movements of polecats Mustela putorius in Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland

1992 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 181-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Brzeziński ◽  
Włodzimierz Jędrzejewski ◽  
Bogumiła Jędrzejewska
Keyword(s):  
Home Ranges ◽  
Mustela Putorius ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest

Socio-spatial organization of Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) in a low-density population of central Europe

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
pp. 973-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Do Linh San ◽  
Nicola Ferrari ◽  
Jean-Marc Weber
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Group Formation ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Habitat Productivity ◽  
European Badgers ◽  
Social Units ◽  
Density Population

We studied the socio-spatial organization of Eurasian badgers (or European badgers), Meles meles (L., 1758), in a low-density population (estimate 1.8 badgers/km2) inhabiting a semi-rural area of western Switzerland. For this purpose, 8 badgers (5 males and 3 females) were caught at 5 different main setts and were radio-tracked between May 1994 and November 1996. The size of individual home ranges varied from 0.27 to 3.74 km2 (1.69 ± 1.33 km2 (mean ± SD), n = 8, 100% MCP), seemingly according to local variations in habitat productivity. Individual home ranges were spatially stable, but their size decreased significantly during winter (0.26 ± 0.42 km2, n = 7, 100% MCP). Badger social units consisted of 1–5 adults and (or) subadults (2.2 ± 1.5 animals, n = 9) and their yearly offspring. Group-range size varied from 0.57 to 3.74 km2 (2.12 ± 1.30 km2, n = 4) and seemed to be influenced by the spatial distribution pattern of food resources. Indeed, each group range encompassed approximately the same surface of agricultural land (about 0.60 km2). Territories were not well marked, some group ranges partly overlapped. Latrines, which were not numerous and principally located inside rather than along borders of group ranges, were only used irregularly or sporadically. This prompts us to encourage the reconsideration of the role of territorial behaviour in promoting group formation in Eurasian badgers.

scholarly journals Daily movement and territory use by badgers Meles meles in Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafał Kowalczyk ◽  
Andrzej Zalewski ◽  
Jędrzejewska Bogumiła
Keyword(s):  
Meles Meles ◽  
Daily Movement ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest

Factors shaping population density, demography and spatial organization of the Eurasian badger Meles meles in mountains – the Western Carpathians (Southern Poland) as a case study

2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Mysłajek ◽  
Sabina Nowak ◽  
Anna Rożen ◽  
Bogumiła Jędrzejewska
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Western Carpathians ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Southern Poland ◽  
Eurasian Badger ◽  
Arable Fields

We studied the socio-spatial ecology of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) along the altitudinal gradient (250-1257 m a.s.l.) of the Western Carpathians (Southern Poland), 2004-2009. Family groups were small (mean 2.3 individuals) and home-ranges large (mean 5.42 km2, MCP 100%), which gave a low population density (2.2 individuals/10 km2). Badgers foraged mainly in the foothills, irrespective of the altitude at which their sett was located. They mostly searched for food in meadows, pastures and arable fields (34.4% of telemetry locations), or among shrubs (33.9%). Badgers were killed by hunters (0.37 individuals/10 km2 annually), and by wolves (0.07 individuals/10 km2). The badger population density was influenced mostly by the abundance of earthworms and hunting pressure, while the size and shape of their territories was determined by the distribution of foraging grounds.

scholarly journals The maturity index for Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata) communities as an indicator of human-caused disturbance in selected forest complexes of Poland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Napierała ◽  
Jerzy Błoszyk
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
National Park ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Nature Reserves ◽  
Maturity Index ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Precise Evaluation ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest

AbstractThe necessity of monitoring changes occurring in soil compels us to look for new methods that will allow easy and precise evaluation of the soil quality in a given area. One proposed method is the maturity index (MI) – an index that is based on the distribution of species along the r-to-K continuum in examined populations. In this study, mites from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata) were examined for their appropriateness in MI-based assessments of soil quality. The first aim of the study was to establish the criteria on the basis of which the evaluation of the r-to-K reproductive strategies was conducted for Uropodina in the examined communities. The second aim was to evaluate the performance of the maturity index of communities of Uropodina as indicator of human-caused disturbance in five areas that are legally protected in Poland. The selected areas were: Białowieża Primeval Forest, Gorce National Park, and three nature reserves: Jakubowo, Las Grądowy nad Mogilnicą, and Cisy Staropolskie im. Leona Wyczółkowskiego. We found that as many as 68 out of the 96 analyzed Uropodina species in Poland are K-stategists. The highest values of the maturity index were recorded for the nature reserves Cisy Staropolskie im. Leona Wyczółkowskiego and the Białowieża Primeval Forest.

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