Home – Home – Jornals – Geography and Natural Resources 2023 number 5S

The structure of a species’ range (internal structure, and difference in abundance within the range) implies naturally determined changes in the abundance of the species within its range. The optimum of the range is the territory most favorable for the species in ecological terms, with the greatest abundance of animals. The medium of the range is characterized by average numbers. The pessimum is the territory with a low abundance of the species. Maps of the range structure reflect the geographic location of territories with different abundances of animals. Information on the structure of the species range provides a basis for predicting the response of the species to natural and human-induced transformation of the environment. It is also necessary for the spatial assessment of the resource potential of economically valuable species and for developing the conservation strategy for rare and endangered species. Ascertaining spatial patterns of changes in a species’ abundance within its range is essential for identifying ecological relationships of the species and environmental factors that determine the high abundance of the species in the optimum of the range. The typology of structures of species ranges underlies the identification of faunistic complexes, i. e. groups of species associated with certain zonal conditions by the common origin and development. The history (experience) of studying the structure of species ranges with terrestrial mammals as an example is shown. A special significance of the cartographic method in the development of such studies is argued. The structures of the ranges can be mapped if the numbers of local populations in different parts of the species range were estimated with standard methods. The feasibility of using various survey methods for mapping the structure of mammal ranges is evaluated. The role of cadastral reference maps of population census locations for the geographic localization of census results and the subsequent territorial assessment of the quantitative data coverage is shown. Maps of the structure of the ranges of mammals are presented. The reasons that hinder the mapping of the range structures for species of some taxonomic groups of mammals are designated. The scientific and applied significance of studying the structure of species ranges is stated. Results from using maps and the prospects for revealing ecological relations of species in ecological chorology are discussed.