Ulyura E. Terrestrial vertebrates fauna of mining industry dumps in the Donbas region

The dissertation is the first comprehensive study of terrestrial vertebrate’s fauna on the post-mining dumps of the South-Eastern part of Ukraine. The species composition and relative population density of the four animal classes was determined. The features of the structure of terrestrial vertebrates complexes in different types of the post-mining dumps are shown; comparative analysis of their species and taxonomic richness and diversity was carried out. Some patterns of the formation of terrestrial vertebrates’ communities on the investigated objects are revealed and some relationships were considered between environmental heterogeneity and species richness from the point of view of GIS-derived variables. We have found a positive relationship the topographic wetness index and bird species richness; a negative relationship the brightness temperature (minimum) and bird/mammal species richness. The results of researching have made it possible to develop practical recommendations to preserve the species diversity of terrestrial vertebrates on industrial dumps of different types.