.svg)
Current issue: Volume 20, No. 1 (2020)
Drobenkov S.M. 2020. Formation dynamics of herpetocomplexes on sections of secondary succession in terrestrial ecosystems of Belarus. Acta Biol. Univ. Daugavp., 20 (1): 21 – 27.
Abstract
Long-term observation carried out in Belarus during 25-30 years showed that formation of herpetocomplexes on secondary succession sections connected with dynamics of the developing
phytocenosis, changes in environmental conditions and the community composition in neighboring preserved ecosystems. The main trend of the amphibian and reptile complexes changes is associated with an increase in species diversity and abundance. There are several stages of community formation, differing in time, species structure and number. At the initial stage, covering the first 4-5 years, there is a rapid colonization of the site by the first speciesimmigrants, coming from neighboring preserved ecosystems. At this period, almost all species inhabiting the neighboring ecosystems found in the successions areas, but only the most adapted species remain. At middle stage, continuing from 6-7 to 12-20 years, some new species, mainly meso- and stenotopic, adapted to a narrower range of environmental conditions, remain in the community. After 20 years in some succession areas comes final stage of zoocenosis formation, characterized by a stable species structure. During successions, there is a gradual addition of species, the change of dominants and the formation of certain combinations of species that are most appropriate to the definite conditions of the environment. The results of present study indicate the high ability of wild communities to recover after anthropogenic impact.
Key words: Succession, herpetocomplex, amphibian, reptile, ecosystem, Belarus.
Sergey M. Drobenkov. Ecological Centre on Biological Resources of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, ul. Akademicheskaya, 27, 220072, Minsk, Republic of Belarus, E-mail: bel_gerpetology@rambler.ru
