The birds of Pasvik / E. I. Khlebosolov, O. A. Makarova, O. A. Khlebosolova [et al. ; English transl. Nikita Chernetsov]. - Ryazan : Golosgubernii, 2007. - 175 с. : ил., портр.

Current approaches and methods of synecological research make it possible not only to describe the specific structure o f population but also to study the mech­ anisms o f formation and functioning o f avian communities. Analysis o f ecological relationships between co-existing species that compete most acutely allows us to identify the specific environment, structure o f the ecological niche, the factors that permit or do not permit co-existence, understand the proximate causes that govern specific composition, numbers and spatial distribution in certain habitats. In this chapter we analyse the mechanisms of formation of bird communities by the exam­ ple o f common species o f passerine birds from different ecological groups: forest- dwelling birds, birds of swamps and coastal scrub, birds o f the mountain tundra. As some bird species inhabit several types o f landscape and may be put in several eco­ logical groups, we shall consider them within the group to which their lifestyle cor­ responds most o f all. 3 .1 . Communities of forest-dwelling passerines Communities of forest-dwelling passerines of Pasvik are most variable and rep­ resented by the largest number o f species. Within these communities several e co ­ logical groups may be marked out that have the closest ecological relationships and within which competition may be acute. Below we consider the structure o f the ecological niche and relationships between the species that have the highest n um ­ bers and play the most important role in the functioning o f communities o f forest- dwelling passerines in Pasvik. 3 .1 .1 . Willow W arb ler, Brambling, and Eurasian Redstart The Willow Warbler and the Brambling are the most typical forest passerines of Pasvik. They breed in large numbers and show a clear pattern o f habitat use. Comparative analysis shows opposite trends in spatial distribution o f these birds. 117