Habitat parameters within seasonal migration trails of Bieszczady wisents

Abstract

Habitat features within wisents' (Bison bonasus) home ranges were already described in the number of papers. We analyzed habitat characteristics along seasonal (spring and autumn) migration trails of wisents in Bieszczady Mountains, south-eastern Poland. Used were data on records of wisents' occurrence from the period 2006–2015, collected during their migration between summer and winter ranges. In total 896 of such records were available from spring and 791 from the autumn. Habitat parameters included the elevation above sea level, the type of forest habitat, the age of a tree stand, dominating tree species and the closure of tree canopy. In spring, wisent moved at average elevation of 594 m a.s.l. mostly through tree stands 75 years old on average, with broken canopy and dominated by Scotch pine followed by fir and beech. In autumn, migration took place at average elevation of 634 m a.s.l. through tree stands on average 74 years old also mostly with broken canopy and dominated by Scotch pine followed by fir and beech. Such information can be used for identification of most probable course of wisents' movements i.e. serve for the protection of their potential migration corridors.