Pyrogenic transformation of old pine forests in the Middle Volga Integrated Biosphere Reserve and its effect on the nesting birds

The effects of the pyrogenic transformation of old pine forests of the Middle Volga Integrated Biosphere Reserve on the nesting birds were studied, based on the original surveys performed in 2006-2009. The changes of the breeding ornithological fauna’s parameters were traced during the restoration of the lower tiers of vegetation after local lower fires. The response of particular species and guilds of nesting birds to the changes in nesting conditions due to a single bottom fire was determined, as well as the changes in the total number of nesting birds and in the number of particular guilds of nesting birds during the vegetation recovery after the fire. The bird species vulnerable to the changes in nesting conditions were identified. The relationship between post-pyrogenic vegetation restoration processes in old pine forests and the species composition and ecological preferences of birds nesting was shown.