A dispersal rate in a wisent population of Bieszczady Mountains

Abstract

In the western subpopulation of wisents inhabiting Bieszczady Mountains, analysed was a tendency for the extension of a home range to the north. In studied period (2001–2008) the northern boundary of the home range was annually expanding on average by 2.6 km, which is much faster comparing to first 20 years after the establishment of this population (0.7 km per
year). The total home range area of this subpopulation (between 2001 – 2008), grew up from about 140 to over 300 km2. This subpopulation is not restricted by habitat limits, and potential migration routes to the west and east are not blocked by any significant natural or man-made barriers. Wisents migrating north, encounter increasingly altered habitats and frequent presence of people. Probable explanation for such tendency of range extension to the north is the occurrence of favourable climatic conditions in valleys situated at low elevations, and high abundance of brambles in pine stands, established at former agricultural area.