Birds of industrial wetlands of central Russia: Affinity and risk

摘要

In the mid-1990s in the framework of the project "Birds of industrial wetlands" different kinds of purifiers (water sewage, ore mining and processing enterprises, pulp and paper industry, nuclear power station, metallurgical and foodstuffs plants) of Central Russia were investigated. Industrial wetlands of Moscow, Tula, Kaluga, Kurskaia, Lipetskaia and Nijegorodskaia regions, Chuvashia, Mordovia and Marii-El first of all attract nesting colonial birds, especially Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus). Gulls protect their colonies and promote breeding of other birds, especially ducks and waders. Together they form about 60% of species diversity. The total number of species sometimes is more than 160 or 65% of regional avifauna (Moscow). Diversity of Passeriformes runs up to 64.4% of avifauna (Kursk). Density of birds' distribution can reach 1026 (Tula) and 2850 (Marii-El specimens per square km. Artificial refuges form the important stopovers for waterfowl and waders. At the same time they are dangerous for birds.