Ábrahám Levente (szerk.): Válogatott tanulmányok III. - Natura Somogyiensis 12. (Kaposvár, 2008)

Lanszki József: A Paksi Ürge-mező ürgéi

Ground-squirrels of the Paks ürge-mező JÓZSEF LANSZKI This study was performed on the Paks ürge-mező, which is part of the Dél-MezőfÖld Landscape Protection Area (Hungary). The area is covered by dry opened sand-grasses, and marshland patches. The population density of ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) was carried out in September 2006 and in April 2007 (on the same lines) by counting holes on eight 250-m long lines, with 50-m distance between each line .The mean (±SE) density of squirrel holes was 40±11.3 hole/ha in the autumn of 2006, and 144±22.2 hole/ha next spring. On the basis of habitat quality we suggested 5 holes per one squirrel, in this case the density was 8 squirrel/ha in autumn and 28-30 squirrel/ha in spring (after winter hibernation). The squirrel population of the Paks ürge-mező was estimated between 100 and 500 individuals, but closer to 500. There can be found an important/significant and viable squirrel population on the studied area.