The Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) in Belarus: distribution, abundance, threats, and conservation

Abstract

The Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans L.) is one of the most poorly studied mammal species in the Belarusian fauna. In Belarus, the species inhabits the south-western border of its distribution range. Despite a multitude of its high conservation statuses, as well as extremely scarce information on the species’ distribution and biology in the country, no special studies on the species have been conducted. The last reliably documented record of the flying squirrel was made more than 20 years ago, in 1996, in Viciebsk District, in the territory of Suražski forestry [Red Data... 2015]. Other information on the state of the population, distribution of the species, or individual registrations in Belarus for the last 20 years (1996–2017) lacks in the literature. We found more than 100 territorial sites of the Syberian flying squirrel in Viciebsk and Haradok districts in 2017–2020. Potential habitats of the species in other districts of the Viciebsk and Minsk regions were also surveyed. This allowed us to establish the borders of the modern distribution area of the species in Belarus, to estimate its current population, and to study some aspects of ecology of the species. At present, the species inhabits less than 1% of the territory of Belarus, but its density in optimal habitats is relatively high. A number of publications, as far back as the last century, indicate a much wider distribution of the species in the country. Therefore, it is possible to indicate a substantial shrinkage of the species’ distribution area during the last 50–100 years. Taking into account the insignificant area of the modern distribution of the species along with the key threats and current forest management tendencies, it is possible to assert with certainty that in the absence of special protection measures, the flying squirrel might soon be gone extinct in Belarus. Some of the habitats we have identified are currently protected by land users. In addition, we have proposed a number of activities within the framework of Management plan development necessary for its conservation, as well as those aimed at further studying, including the possible restoration of its historical range.