Kolombar T. Spatial pattern of the soil churning activity of the greater mole rat (Spalax microphthalmus) in the conditions of steppe Pridneprovye.

The object of the research is environment-forming activity of greater mole rat (Spalax microphthalmus) in conditions of the steppe Prydniprovia. The aim is to evaluate the spatial pattern (vertical and horizontal) of the soil-churning activity of greater mole rat (Spalax microphthalmus) in conditions of steppe Pridneprovia. The methods are large-scale mapping, applicative, remote sensing, statistical analysis and others. In the research there were defined the morphometric characteristics of mole rat's mounds as a marker of the intensity of soil-churning activity. The regularities of spatial variability of electrical conductivity, solidity, cellulose destruction and aggregate structure of the soil affected by the soil-churning activity of the greater mole rat were identified on a scale ranging from a single mound to groupings of mounds. The spatial organization of the system of greater mole rat's burrow entrances was investigated using the three dimensional imaging of the variability of soil solidity in mound zone. Role of greater mole rat's burrowing activity as a factor in structuring of the ecological niche of soil invertebrates was identified. The changes in the structure of litter spider's communities affected by burrowing activity of the greater mole rat were studied. The peculiarities of the ecological niche of the greater mole rat were researched at the level of separate ravines using the methods of satellite cartography. Application spheres are training courses, sciences researches.