Response of the avifauna to technogenic environmental pollution in the southern taiga zone of the middle urals

Abstract

Bird communities are formed in close dependence on environmental conditions. The species composition, general and relative abundance, and structure of the avifauna in a certain area reflect its geographic location, environmental conditions (climatic, phytocenotic, etc.), and the type and magnitude of anthropogenic impact (Ravkin, 1984). Hence, the parameters of bird populations and communities can be used in environmental monitoring (Koskimies, 1989). In monitoring the ecological state of a certain area, it is necessary to take into account specific features of both environmental factors (natural and anthropogenic) and the avifauna as a tool for monitoring. This circumstance gives emphasis to the importance of regional studies on the responses of bird populations to ecological factors. Moreover, the analysis of corresponding information makes it possible to reveal general trends in the adaptation of bird populations and communities to adverse environmental factors. Published data on the responses of birds to chemical environmental pollution in the Middle Urals are insufficient. Among the sources of hazardous pollutants, a special role belongs to the nonferrous metal industries and, in particular, to the copper-smelting plants where primary (top-and-bottom) smelting is performed. The toxicity of discharge from these plants is accounted for by the combined effect of sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and, in some cases, fluorine compounds (Vorobeichik et al. , 1994). The purpose of this work was to study the structural transformation of forest bird communities in the southern Middle Urals (the southern taiga subzone) along a gradient of technogenic environmental pollution.