THE ROLE OF SMALL MAMMALS AND BIRDS IN TRANSPORT OF MATTER THROUGH THE SHORE ZONE OF LAKES

An attempt was made to estimate the role of small mammals and birds in the cycling of nutrients in the littoral zone of lakes. We estimated the approximate amounts of food, organic matter and elements ingested and egested during the breeding season by waterfowl. Small mammal dens ities were estimated, and their movements studied between different pa tches of a mosaic landscape, including the lake's shore region. Studie s on passerine birds were aimed at determining the territories of some species in alder forest. Special attention was paid to the range of p enetration of the reed belts by forest species.