The ecology of <i>Lepus europaeus</i> Pallas, 1778 common in the fauna of the Nagorno Karabakh

Abstract

Mechanisms for the rational use and preservation of wildlife are considered to be one of the most important problems in modern zoology in Nagorno Karabakh. In our case, this is all the more relevant, since as a result of the military conflict initiated by Azerbaijan, the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh was exposed to ammunition prohibited by international norms. In this regard, we have chosen as the object of research the only species of Lagomorpha in the fauna of Nagorno Karabakh Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778. As a result of studies, we have found out the prevalence of these beasts, the preferred places, which are located at vertical heights, from 200250 MAMSL to 28003000 MAMSL, and the reasons for the reduction of areas. At the same time, the work presents the results of our observations on the dynamics of the number change of Lepus europaeus from 1999 to 2021 and the factors influencing these changes. We have clarified the active hours of Lepus europaeus in plain and foothill zones, as well as the factors affecting their activity and the frequency of encounters with Lepus europaeus during the daylight in different seasons and places represented in percentage. The paper also presents the density and distribution according to zones.