Work

The trophic ecology of wolves and their predatory role in ungulate communities of forest ecosystems in Europe

Year: 1995

Type: article

Abstract: Predation by wolves Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 in ungulate communities in Europe, with special reference to the multi-species system of Białowieża Primeval Forest (Poland/Belarus), was assessed on the basis results of original research and literature. In hisstorical times (post-glacial period), the geographical range of the wolf and most ungulate species in Europe decreased considerably. Community richness of ungulates and potential prey for wolves, decreased over most of the continent from 5-6 species to 2-3 species. The wolf is typically an opportunistic predator with a highly diverse diet; however, cervids are its preffered prey.

Source: ACTA THERIOLOGICA

DOI: 10.4098/at.arch.95-35

Author: Henryk Okarma

Institution: Polish Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Instytut Biologii Ssaków Polskiej Akademii Nauk