THE RESEARCH OF EUROPEAN BEAVER POPULATIONS IN DIFFERENT HABITAT AREAS

Authors

  • Domas Maselis Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy

Keywords:

European beaver, population abundance, usage of the population

Abstract

During this research the abundance and distribution of beaver population was assessed in two study areas of different habitats. Was searched what factors affect beaver populations. The research was conducted from  2021 October November . The research was conducted using three confirmed methods:  The research of distribution of beaver nests and suitability of a unit of area for European beaver inhabitancy was conducted according to methodology introduced by L. Balčiauskas (2004), The number of beaver nests in a unit of area was determined using two methods: “The evaluation of the size of European beaver family” (A. Palionienė) and “The determination of European beaver population according to chewing” (Pojarkovas, Navasaitis, Pėtelis, 1998). After the evaluation of a suitability of a unit of area for European beaver inhabitancy, it was decided that in Alanta hunting area 12,5% of ponds of water were unsuitable for beaver population, in Labanoras hunting area - 30,7%. Was decided that amount of beavers in a  two units of area depending on the method varies from 39,3% to 44,8%.  Assessments of the impact of hunting on populations have shown that the usage of the beaver population  in Alanta hunting area is above recommended, in Labanoras hunting area  is optimal.

Published

2022-06-07

Issue

Section

Wildlife population management