The Influence of Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea L.) Nesting Places on the Nature of Changes Ongoing in the Ground Litter and Soils of Broad-Leaved Forests in Tula Oblast

Abstract

The composition of soil, ground litter, and litterfall water extracts was studied for zones affected by gray heron nesting places and for background sites covered by broad-leaved forests in the gray forest soil zone of Tula oblast. It is established that birds’ activities result in an inflow of bird excreta, formation of specific forest ground litters, and increase in the share of large-size tree litter that accumulates in the course of nest building. It is shown that ground litter, litterfall, and upper horizons of the gray forest soil in nesting places feature higher concentrations of macroelements (calcium, potassium, and magnesium), microelements (copper, zinc, and strontium), and anions (NO$$_{3}^{ - }$$, PO$$_{4}^{{3 - }}$$, and Cl−).