Article

Larisa E. Lukyanova, PhD, Leading Researcher of Evolutionary Ecology Lab., Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of RAS (620144, Russia, Ekaterinburg, 8 Marta, 202), iD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8665-1047; e-mail: lukyanova@ipae.uran.ru
Anatoliy V. Bobretsov, PhD, Leading Researcher of the Pechoro-Ilych State Nature Reserve (169436, Russia, Yaksha, Komi Republic, Lanina Street, 8), iD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0921-2566; e-mail: avbobr@mail.ru

Lukyanova L.E., Bobretsov A.V. 2026. Features of long-term population dynamics of the red-backed voles under changing biotopic conditions in foothill areas of the Pechora-Ilych State Nature Reserve (Russia). Nature Conservation Research 11(4). https://dx.doi.org/10.24189/ncr.2026.024

The results of long-term studies of the population dynamics of co-living species of red-backed voles (Clethrionomys glareolus, C. rutilus) in the foothill area of the Pechora-Ilych State Nature Reserve (Russia) under conditions of the green-moss spruce forest have been obtained. It was revealed that a change in dominance occurred in the red-backed vole community of this habitat over three decades (1995–2024). Clethrionomys rutilus, which had been the dominant species in terms of population for a long time, «gave way» in 2012 to its dominant status to the species Clethrionomys glareolus, the abundance of which increased sharply in 2013. Over the five-year period (2014–2018), the abundance of two species was equalised in the red-backed vole community. Subsequently, after the next observed short period of dominance of Clethrionomys glareolus (2019–2021), in 2022 Clethrionomys rutilus became again the dominant species. The discovered re-distribution of the dominance of both species in the green-moss spruce forest in the foothill region of the Pechora-Ilych State Nature Reserve was associated with changes under the microenvironmental conditions of the habitats. During the period of population growth of Clethrionomys glareolus, a statistically significant increase in the area covered by herb vegetation and a decrease in the area covered by moss was revealed, which is the result of the indirect influence of climatic factors.

abundance, Clethrionomys glareolus, Clethrionomys rutilus, green-moss spruce forest, microhabitat characteristics, Protected Area, sympatric species

Received: 12.08.2025. Revised: 22.12.2025. Accepted: 02.02.2026.

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