Ochrona Tatr w Obliczu Zagrozen [Protection de la nature des Tatras face aux menaces. The Endangered Nature of the Polish Tatra Mountains].

Résumé

Ecology of the marmot The marmot Marmota marmota latirostris Krotochvil, 1961 is one of the rarest animals in Poland and it is a protected species. In 1980-83 surveys found 40 active localities of marmot in the Polish Tatra Mountains. Of this number five were in the Western Tatras, and 35 in the high Tatras. The mean elevation a.s.l. of the main burrows of the high Tatras was 1870 meters, and the median slope inclination of the main burrows 31*. East, southeast, and south expositions of the slopes with main burrows were found in 60% of all localities. In the annual life cycle the period of hibernation was 200-227 days. The period of summer activity, 138-165 days, beginning with leaving the burrow between mid-April and mid-May in various years. The animals always leave the burrows while snowcover still exists (maximal snowcover depth 3.1 meters. The mating period begins between the fifth and twenty-third of May. Birthing always takes place in the main burrow. The first time young leave the burrow is usually in late July. And sealing of burrows takes place between September 24 and October 10. In the daily cycle of marmot, they rest in the burrow during the night hours and venture out of the burrow during daylight hours. In July and August, marmots were most active -- averaging about 13 hours (maximum was more than 14 hours). In an annual cycle, marmots dedicate 43.9% of their waking time to eating, and guarding takes 40.3%. Other actions: daytime spent in the burrow -- 6.9%, collecting food reserves -- 0.6%, walking -- 3.9%, burrow excavation -- 0.8%, body cleaning -- 0.4%, and playing -- 3.2%. The colony area ranged from 1.5 to 1.8 hectares. The mean number of individuals in each colony was three. The number of marmots in Tatra National Park was between 108 and 132 individuals. 45% of marmots two years old and were nursed. Of predators the greatest influence on the marmot population was red fox Vulpes vulpes, but the most dangerous animal to marmots is man.