OD MRAVLJE DO MEDVEDA
Vsaka izmed živalskih vrst, od drobne mravlje do naše največje zveri, medveda, ima v gozdu točno določeno vlogo.
Gozdne živali skupaj z rastlinami in glivami skrbijo, da je gozd vedno v ravnotežju in predstavlja stabilno življenjsko okolje. Porušijo ga lahko le nepredvideni dogodki, kot so posegi človeka in naravne ujme.
Nekatere gozdne živali se prehranjujejo z rastlinami, druge z živalmi, nekatere pa so vsejedi. Vsaka živalska vrsta v gozdu predstavlja člen prehranjevalne verige. Če posamezni členi iz nje izpadejo, se lahko poruši celotna veriga. Vlogo plenilcev včasih z odstrelom divjadi prevzame človek, vendar težko dosega učinke naravnih mehanizmov, ki zagotavljajo ravnovesje v gozdu.
Rjavi medved je vsejed. Vsak dan zaužije vsaj 15 kg hrane. Mravlje so zelo pogosto na njegovem jedilniku. V času zimskega mirovanja izgubi od 30 % do 50 % telesne teže. Mladiči tehtajo le dobrega pol kg, odrasli samci pa lahko tehtajo do 300 kg .
FROM AN ANT TO A BEAR
Each animal species has a specific role in the forest, from the tiny ant to our biggest carnivore, the bear.
Together with plants and fungi, forest animals maintain balance in the forest and help make it a stable habitat. It can only be disrupted by unforeseen events, such as human interventions and natural disasters.
Some forest animals eat plants, others eat animals, and some are omnivores. Each animal species in the forest represents a link in the food chain. If individual links disappear, the entire chain can collapse. Sometimes, humans take on the role of predators by culling wild animals, but it is difficult to match the effects of the natural mechanisms that maintain balance in the forest.
Brown bear is an omnivore. Every day it consumes at least 15 kg of food. Ants are frequently on its menu. During the winter hibernation the bear loses 30 to 50% of its bodyweight. Newborn bears weigh just a little over half a kilo, whereas adult males can weigh up to 300 kg.