distribution

On the basis of our 1996-2009 field surveys in the Saratov region and adjacent territories, and our analysis of the literature data, the distribution and abundance dynamics of Dendrocopos major, D. syriacus, D. medius, D. leucotos, and D. minor is considered. The present habitation of D. leucotos in the Saratov region has been established to be associated with ripe deciduous woods in the Saratov Right-Volga-bank region; the bird penetrates for nesting up to 51°40* lati­ tude North along the Khopyor and Medveditsa river valleys. D.

Specific  distributions  features  of distribution of 9 species  of martens in the north of the Lower Volga region have been demostratet. Calcu­ lated width of the spatial niches for these predators and their degree of overlap. Widespread spacies  of martens  in this  region are the weasel, stoat and badger. Black  polecat, pine and stone martens occupy  about half of the possible biotopes, but mink  and steppe polecat are found only in a limited number of habitats.

For the fi rst time in the southern part of the Volga Upland, a detailed study of the population distribution and structure of rare and protected species Hedysarum grandifl orum Pall., listed in the Red Books of the Russian Federation (2008) and the Saratov Region (2021), was carried out. The study was conducted in 2007–2021. To identify the distribution, data from routine observations and information from herbarium specimens, literary data and oral reports were used.