Zaytseva H. The ecological role of populations of arboreal rodents (by the example of forest ecosystems of Kamianetske Pridnistrovia)

The dissertation concerns investigations of the ecological role of arboreal rodents in forest ecosystems of Kamianetske Pridnistrovia. The regional fea-tures and seasonal dynamics of population structure (age, sexual and ethologi-cal) of the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) and the yellow-necked mouse (Sylvaemus tauricus) are investigated. The peculiarities of breeding period of the common dormouse in the region were elucidated. The topical connections between arboreal rodents and hole-nesting birds in nest-boxes are analyzed. The role of arboreal rodents in a diet of predatory birds is established and trophic connections between them are determined. The fabric connections between arboreal rodents and oak (Quercus robur) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) are investigated. The biotope preferences of arboreal ro-dents are found out and a diet of them on the territory of Kamianetske Pridnis-trovia is defined. The role of them in structure of communities of rodents in oak-hornbeam forests is determined. The value of arboreal rodents in preserva-tion of a biodiversity in forest ecosystems of the region is elucidated. The role of dormouse as bioindicator of natural condition of forest ecosystems in Kamianetske Pridnistrovia is determined. The protection status in European Red Lists of all species of arboreal rodents is analyzed. The recommendation on conservation of their populations with aid of nest-boxes is offered.