Branta Issues > Issue №11 (2008)

Influence of the Cormorant settlements on development of arboreous-shrub vegetation in the ornithological preserve of state importance "Bolshie and Malye Kuchugury".

S.N. Podorozhny

Some aspects of influence of the Cormorant breeding settlements on a development of arboreous-shrub vegetation in the ornithological preserve of state importance "Bolshie and Malye Kuchugury" are discussed. Negative influence of the nesting settlements on a development of arboreous-shrub complex up to its complete degradation is shown. As a result, erosion of banks, changes in hydrological regime, leveling of micro-relief are probable as well as loss of biological, landscape diversity and even whole islands in future. We consider it necessary to make efforts on regulation of Cormorant numbers in the breeding colonies for conservation of unique natural complex of the preserve. Additional investigations are necessary for elaboration of effective program on conservation and restoration of plantations of trees on the islands. Main directions of future research are the following: potential of vegetative and seed reproduction of trees that are under negative influence of the Cormorant breeding; chemical analysis of excrement and its forms present in soil and on leaves of trees; determination of connections between shape of crown in different species of trees and possibility of Cormorant nesting in these trees.