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Demography of badgers in Bialowieza Forest,
Poland, earthworms and badger densities in Europe
Journal
Canadian
Journal of Zoology, Volume 81, Number 1, January 2003, pp. 74-87(14)
Authors
Kowalczyk, R.; Zalewski,
A.; Jedrzejewska,
B.; Jedrzejewski,
W.
Abstract
From 1996 to 2001 we studied the spatial organization
and demography of Eurasian badgers, Meles meles, in Biaeowieza Primeval
Forest in eastern Poland, one of the best preserved woodlands in temperate
Europe. Badger density estimated on the basis of main sett distribution
(0.54 sett/10 km2) and group size (3.9 individuals per sett, on average)
was 2.11 badgers/10 km2. Average annual productivity of the population was
64% and the mortality rate of badgers >1 year old was 22–38% per annum.
The size of territories of badger groups (n = 7), estimated by radio
telemetry, varied from 8.4 to 25.5 km2 (mean 12.8 km2). Individual home
ranges of badgers (n = 13) covered, on average, 9.3 km2, and varied
seasonally and among animals of different age and sex classes (from 4.0 to
24.4 km2). Home ranges of adult badgers were significantly larger than
those of subadults. Badgers occupied larger home ranges in summer, when
earthworm availability was low. The size of both group territories and
individual home ranges was influenced by the distribution of
oak–lime–hornbeam (OLH) forests, habitats rich in earthworms. Based on our
findings and a review of literature, we propose that the standing crop of
biomass of earthworms (Lumbricus spp.), the main food of badgers in a
large part of their geographic range, and mean annual temperature are
crucial factors shaping the densities of badgers in the European temperate
and boreal zones. We also suggest that abundance of food resources is the
essential factor underlying the great variation in badger sociality (from
pairs to large groups).
Keywords
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