TROPHIC-ENERGETIC RELATIONS OF EAST CAUCASIAN TUR (CAPRA-CYLINDRICORNIS) TO PASTURE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE EASTERN CAUCASIAN HIGH MOUNTAINS

The amount of consuming plants by turs in various high mountain pastur es ranges within 8.5-51.3% of the total production of a phytocoenosis. In summer-spring period leguminous (80%) and ramal (40%) fodders prev ail in the diet, in summerautumn one-cereals (75%) and mixed herbs (70 %). Nutritiousness of the consumed fodder varies slightly during a yea r and keeps a high level (1578-1690 kJ/100 g of dry weight) due to ver tical and horizontal migrations of turs. The absolute level of consumi ng food is related to the plant yield and varies by seasons to a great er degree (1000-2400 g dry weight per an individual daily). These vari ations determine the season dynamics of the daily energy obtained by t urs, from 24700 (summer) to 11600 kJ/individual(spring), their require ments being 1600-17 500 kJ/individual. Such a discrepancy of requireme nts and consumption, displaying a degree of tension in trophic relatio ns to food resources, impacts the dynamics of tur body mass (68-95 kg) and determines a general condition of the tur population.