The trophic ecology of wolves and their predatory role in ungulate communities of forest ecosystems in Europe

Abstract

Predation by wolves Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 in ungulate communities in Europe, with special reference to the multi-species system of Białowieża Primeval Forest (Poland/Belarus), was assessed on the basis results of original research and literature. In hisstorical times (post-glacial period), the geographical range of the wolf and most ungulate species in Europe decreased considerably. Community richness of ungulates and potential prey for wolves, decreased over most of the continent from 5-6 species to 2-3 species. The wolf is typically an opportunistic predator with a highly diverse diet; however, cervids are its preffered prey.