Relations actuelles et passées entre l’homme et les marmottes dans les pays de l’ancienne Union Soviétique. Current and past relations between people and marmots in the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Résumé

Problem of interrelations between man and marmots is illustrated in two quite separate, but indissolubly tied sides: 1) importance of marmots in human life, and 2) impact of man activity on marmots. Long history of man and marmots interrelations can be provisionally divided into three periods: prehistoric, historic (the last centuries) and modern (second half of the current century). The problem is discussed in following principal aspects: 1) game and trade hunting. 2) agricultural (marmots in pastures and crop-fields). 3) epizootic (first of all in regards to marmots in natural plague centers). 4) conservation and restoration of populations. 5) other aspects (scientific, cultural, social and so on).