Laboratory of Mammalian Ecology
The main research trends – diversity, abundance, biotopic distribution and diet of mammals under changing land use, acceptability for society and impact on the environment. Research is also involved in: peculiarities of species diversity, abundance dynamics, biotopic and spatial distribution of mammals, the demographic structure of mammal populations; ecology and distribution of new mammal species in Lithuania; functioning regularities in mammal populations and communities in different landscapes and under the anthropogenic impact; factors predetermining the extinction of populations of rare mammals; abundance, diet and seasonal distribution of cervids in different-type forests, the impact of the agrolandscape and deforestation.
The Laboratory of Theriology, founded in 1973, was named the Laboratory of Mammalian Ecology (LME) in 2003. It was first headed by Dr S.Maldžiūnaitė (1974–1976) and Dr P.Bluzma (1977–2003) and since 2003 - by Dr L.Balčiauskas. At present 8 scientists work at the laboratory. During its existence, 9 doctoral theses were maintained. The scientists of the LME collaborate with international organisations, such as: IUCB BSG (Bison Specialist Group), IUCN OSG (Otter Specialist Group), LHF (Large Herbivorous Foundation), LCIE (Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe), BLCI (Baltic Large Carnivore Initiative) and participate in the activities of different public organisations. The LME also conducts research on request: mammal diversity has been investigated in 5 administrative districts, the most valuable territories have been selected, recommendations for their monitoring provided, and the database created. Also, the LME has assessed the state of the theriofauna in the protected territories, prepared recommendations for the census, selection and density regulation of ungulates. The monitoring of cervids, small and rare mammals is being performed. Over the past decades, about 40 ecological, educational and scientific projects were launched.
Linas Balčiauskas, Ass. Prof. Dr (hb.) – Head of Laboratory, Chief Researcher
Tel. +370 5 272 92 78, e-mail: linasbal@ekoi.lt
Biological and ecological diversity, ecology, spatial distribution and conservation of mammals, socio-economic research on mammals, management of mammal populations, biological databases and models
Rimvydas Juškaitis, Dr – Chief Researcher
Tel. +370 5 272 92 78, e-mail: juskaitis@ekoi.lt
Population structure, dynamics and self-regulation in the common dormouse, ecology of dormice and other small mammals
Tel. +370 5 272 92 48, e-mail: laiba@ekoi.lt
Morphometrics of small mammals, diet of avian predators, socio-economic assessment of mammals
Laima Baltrūnaitė, Dr – Researcher
Tel. mob. +370 699 94399, e-mail: laima@ekoi.lt
Ecology of mammalian predators, predator-prey relationship, assessment of ecological niches and their dependence on the structure of ecosystems
Marius Jasiulionis, - Junior Researcher, e-mail: mjasiulionis@ekoi.lt
Vitalijus Stirkė - biologist, e-mail: vstirke@yahoo.com
Algirdas Dumčius - biologist, e-mail: a.dumcius@ekoi.lt
Paulius Alejūnas - biologist, e-mail: palejunas@ekoi.lt
Jekaterina Vitlickaja- biologist, e-mail: jekaterina.vitlickaja@gamtostyrimai.lt
Research Services
- Ecological research on the mammals of protected and potentially valuable territories; preparation of recommendations for the conservation of species, populations and territories; provision of information from the database on biological diversity.
- Development of plans for the recovery of endangered mammal species, preparation of plans for the management of populations of mammal species included in the Red Book of Lithuania and of the European significance.
- Assessment of mammal-induced damage, development of plans for mammal-related conflict prevention.
- Expert assessment of the abundance of cervids and recommendations for scientific management of hunting, provision of information from the database “Hunting Trophies".
- Monitoring of mammals.
- Human dimensions assessment of mammals, organisation of public-informing campaigns on the mammal-related issues.
- Consultations on the issues related to the law acts of the EU and international conventions (we have our representatives in IUCN OSG, BSG, LCIE, LHF, BLCI, relevant relations and also long experience in international cooperation).
Projects
Large Carnivores In Northern Landscapes: an Interdisciplinary Approach to their Regional Conservation (L.Balčiauskas)
EU Fifth Framework Programme Project: European Biodiversity Forum – Implementing the Ecosystem Approach – NAS Extension (L.Balčiauskas)
A Program for the Fencing of the Free-Ranging Bison Herd (L.Balčiauskas)
Monitoring of Status and Dynamics of Cervid populations (L.Balčiauskas)
Abundance Monitoring of Rare Mammal Species (Wolf, Lynx) (L.Balčiauskas)
Publications
Jedrzejewski, W., Jedrzejewska, B., Andersone-Lilley, Z., Balciauskas, L., Mannil, P., Ozolins, J., Sidorovich, V. E., Bagrade, G., Kubarsepp, M., Ornicans, A., Nowak, S., Pupila, A., Zunna, A. 2010. Synthesizing wolf ecology and management in Eastern Europe: similarities and contrasts with North America / The world of wolves: new perspectives on ecology, behaviour and management / ed. by M. Musiani, L. Boitani, P.C. Paquet. - University of Calgary Press. P. 207-233.
Balčiauskas, L., Balčiauskienė, L., Baltrūnaitė, L. 2010. Root vole, Microtus oeconomus, in Lithuania: changes in distribution range. Folia Zoologica, 59 (4): 267-277.
Baltrūnaitė, L. 2010. Winter habitat use, niche breadth and overlap between the red fox, pine marten and raccoon dog in different landscapes of Lithuania. Folia Zoologica, 59 (4): 278-284.
Andersone-Lilley, Ž., Balčiauskas, L., Ozoliņš, J., Randveer, T., Tönisson, J. 2010. Ungulates and their management in the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). In: European ungulates and their management in the 21st century. Ed. by M. Apollonio, R. Andersen, R. Putman. - Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, P. 103-128.
Juškaitis, R. 2008. The Common Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius: Ecology, Population Structure and Dynamics. Vilnius: Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University Publishers.
Baleišis R., Bluzma P., Balčiauskas L. 2003. Lietuvos kanopiniai žvėrys. Trečias papildytas leidimas. Akstis, Vilnius: 1–215.
Žinduolių pavadinimų žodynas. Lotynų, lietuvių, anglų, prancūzų, rusų, vokiečių kalbomis. 2002. Sudarytojai: P. Bluzma (ats. red.), R. Mažeikytė, E. Mickevičius, J. Prūsaitė, K. Baranauskas, R. Baleišis. Vilnius: 1–436.
Balčiauskas L., Trakimas G., Juškaitis R., Ulevičius A., Balčiauskienė L. Lietuvos žinduolių, varliagyvių ir roplių atlasas. Antras papildytas leidimas. [Atlas of Lithuanian mammals, amphibians and reptiles. 2nd ed]. 1999. Akstis, Vilnius:1–120.