WATERFOWL WINTERING IN CITIES OF TEMPERATE CLIMATE ZONE AND FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THEM

For the first time, the regularities of the number and species diversity dynamics of wintering waterfowl in 30 cities of Russia over eight years have been analyzed. The total number increased by 35%. The species diversity in total reaches 32 species. Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) dominate in all 30 cities. According of total characteristics, all cities were divided into seven clusters, significantly differing from each other. The geographical location and climatic characteristics of cities are the main conditions for the existence of both people and birds. The number variability of wintering birds by 93% is determined by the area of the city and the number of its population, and the number of species by 62% is determined by the longitude, the average January temperature of the city and the number of its population (p < 0.001). The number of birds and species correlate with the “age” of wintering place (p < 0.05). If the rate of the urbanization continues, the number and species diversity will continue to grow.