Regularities of spatial differentiation of fauna and bird population on the Putorana Plateau

Abstract

The spatial differentiation of the bird population on the Putorana Plateau has been analyzed. One hundred and thirty seven bird species nest in the region. Species diversity, bird population density, and abun dance of most species decrease with altitude. The largest decrease in bird population density occurs during the transition from the subalpine belt to the alpine belt; a little less significant one occurs during the transition from the forest belt to the subalpine belt. Most bird species inhabit a wide range of altitudes, which usually involves at least two altitude belts. The bird population density at the level of alpine, subalpine, and forest alti tude and landscape belts decreases in the direction from west to east (from the Putorana Plateau to Koryak Upland). The spatial dynamics of the bird population density and abundance of most background species of the Putorana Plateau has a tendency to increase from the highest internal regions of mountain countries towards the periphery. At the Putorana Plateau, the communities of birds from the forest belt are more diverse, stable, and homogeneous in space and time when compared with the alpine and subalpine belts. In addition to high values of the population similarity coefficient, minimal amplitudes of species diversity and bird population density, and a relatively even distribution of more than half of the species composition along the region territory, insignificant provincial differences in the composition of leaders were detected here.

Integration of species and ecosystem monitoring for selecting priority areas for biodiversity conservation: Case studies from the Palearctic of Russia

“…The great extent of the plateau in both latitudinal and longitudinal directions and its clearly defined vertical zoning have resulted in great diversity and a unique combination of animal communities that are prevalent throughout the Palearctic (Romanov et al 2014). Rare and endangered fauna species that are amongst the typical representatives in the plateau are included in the Red Books of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (Walter and Gillett 1988) and the Russian Federation, but the current state of these species' populations is largely unknown.…”