Dr. Olgirda Belova

ORCiD iD: 0000-0001-6881-7605
Tel. +370 614 34 409
Email olgirda.belova@lammc.lt 
Liepų St. 1, Girionys, LT-53101 Kaunas distr., Lithuania

Education

1976– 1980–1985 Wildlife Zoo Engineering, Animal Ecology, Animal Ethology.

1993 Ecology and Environmental Science, Natural Sciences.

Scientific and academic degrees

1993 Research Council of Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania. Qualification level by national/international classification: EVRK 85.4; EVRK 85.42.30; ISCED 854.

1989 EE RAS A.N. Severtzov the Institute of Animal Ecology and Morphology, Animal Ecology, Ecology and Environmental Science.

Professional experience

Since January, 2014 Senior Researcher, Department of Forest Protection and Game Management, Institute of Forestry, LAMMC.

September – December, 2013 Researcher, Department of Forest Protection and Game Management, Institute of Forestry, LAMMC.

2010–2013 September Senior Researcher, Department of Forest Protection and Game Management, Institute of Forestry, LAMMC.

2007–2009 Lecturer, Lithuanian University of Agriculture (since 2019 VMU Agriculture Academy).

2003–2005 Lecturer,  Lithuanian University of Agriculture, BSc (Wildlife Biology: Game Ethology, Game Breeding, Game Anatomy, Physiology and Ethology).

2003–2009 Senior Researcher, Lithuanian Forest Research Institute.

1998–2003 Senior Researcher, Scientific Secretary, Department of Forest Protection and Game Management, Lithuanian Forest Research Institute.

1990–1997 Researcher, Department of Forest Protection and Game Management, Lithuanian Forest Research Institute.

1980–1990 Laboratory Assistant, Junior Researcher, Lithuanian Forest Research Institute.

Research fields

• Ecology and Environmental Sciences
• Game ethology
• Game management
• Sustainable use of game populations and forest protection
• Non-wood forest products and their sustainable use

Memberships and affiliations with professional organizations

• Since 2021 National Forest Visions, Hunting sectoral group: member (The Ministry of Environment).
• Head of the Coordination Board on the development of scientific and training activity in the hunting ground unit for science and training.
• 2019–2023 CA18134 “Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems” (G-BIKE), member of Management Committee.
• International Union of Game Biologists IUGB, country liaison officer, task force committee and scientific committee of the near congress. IUGB official seat: Switzerland. 2017–2019 president IUGB, 2019–2021 vice-president. Since 2016 EUROBOAR and EURODEER European scientific networks: participation (European Wild Boar Open Information System).
• EFINOR EcoRegion Forest and Water Network (coordinator: Swedish Forestry Agency, from 2013 national coordinator.
• 2014–2017 EK COST FP1203 NWFPs, member of Management Committee.
• 2008–2012 EK COST FP0703 ECHOES, member of Management Committee.
• 2004–2008 EK COST E33 FORREC, member of Management Committee.
• European Food Safety Authority EFSA EU, expert.

Participation in the scientific programmes and projects

• February – December, 2022 International project “Wildlife: collecting and sharing data on wildlife populations, transmitting animal disease agents”, European Observatory of Wildlife, national coordinator.
• 2022–2025 Project funded by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania “Beaver as bioindicator for assessing contamination of riparian forest buffer”, leader. 
• 2020–2021 “Preparation facility of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) recovery programme”, leader.
• 2019–2021 ES Interreg BSR programme project WAMBAF Tool Box, leader.
• 2019–2023 “Demonstration of climate change mitigation potential of nutrient rich organic soils in Baltic States and Finland” (LIFE OrgBalt, LIFE18 CCM/LV/001158), participant.
• 2019–2023 CA18134 “Genomic biodiversity knowledge for resilient ecosystems” (G-BIKE), coordinator.
• 2017–2019 “Analysis of epidemiological and laboratory research of African swine fever (ASF), prognosis of disease transmission, risk analysis and disease management strategy in wildlife and pig farming localities in the Republic of Lithuania”. The Ministry of Agriculture, partners LSMU, NFVRI, leader.
• 2017–2023 ENETWILD consortium OC/EFSA/ALPHA/2016/01-01, national coordinator.
• 2016–2019 ES Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme, project  Wathe Management in Baltic Forests” (WAMBAF), coordinator.
• 2016–2017 Preparation of the maximal density norms of the wild boar in the different regions of Lithuania. Ministry of Environment of Lithuania, leader.
• 2013–2017 COST FP1203 Non-wood Forest Products (NWFP), leader.
• 2013–2014, 2016 Scientific study of the biological efficiency of WAM EXTRA repellent and guidelines on the protection of forest plantations against damage caused by deer.: Witasek (Austrija), UAB “Vikersas”.
• 2011–2014 EFINORD SNS Forest and Water Network, national coordinator.
• 2011–2012 “Spatial Distribution of the Invertebrate and Vertebrate Animals and their Present and Possible Migratory Paths in the Forest Ecosystems of Lithuanian-Belarusian Transboundary Areas”, Research Council of Lithuania, participant.

Supervision and co-supervision of PhD projects 

• 2015–2019 Arūnas Tarvydas, PhD study in Forestry, topic “Management of the Population Qualitative Composition of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa ) to reduce damage caused to agriculture and forestry and to prevent parasitic diseases”, supervisor.
• 2014–2018 Karolis Šežikas, PhD study in Forestry, topic “Dynamics and Sustainable Use of Moose (Alces alces ) Population in the Western Lithuania”, supervisor.
• 2011–2017 Tomas Barkauskas; extended PhD study in Forestry, topic “Effect of environmental factors on the condition of ungulate game populations in the Southern Lithuania”, scientific consultant.

MAJOR RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Articles in journals indexed in Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database

1. Slepetiene A., Kochiieru M., Jurgutis L., Mankeviciene A., Skersiene A., Belova O. 2022. The effect of anaerobic digestate on the soil organic carbon and humified carbon fractions in different land-use systems in Lithuania. Land, 11 (1): 133. IF – 3,905

2. Slepetiene A., Kochiieru M., Skersiene A., Mankeviciene A., Belova O. 2022. Changes in stabile organic carbon in differently managed fluvisol treated by two types of anaerobic digestate. Energies, 15: 5876. IF – 3,252

3. Tarvydas A., Belova O. 2022.  Effect of wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) on forests, agricultural lands and population management in Lithuania. Diversity, 14 (10): 801. IF – 3,029

4. Fastovetska K., Slepetiene A., Vigricas E., Urbaitis G., Belova O. 2022. Lead content in plant materials in the buffer zones of surface water bodies of Northwestern and Central regions of Lithuania. Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, 109 (4): 335–340. IF – 1,281
5. Piekarczyk P., Tajchman K., Belova O., Wójcik M. 2021. Crop damage by wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) depending on the crop composition in central-eastern poland. Baltic Forestry, 27 (1): 552. IF – 0,686
6. Barkauskas T., Belova O., Gricievienė L. 2020. Differences in ungulate population use in different hunting grounds in Lithuania. Baltic Forestry, 26 (2): 514. IF – 0,722
7. Čiuldienė D., Vigricas E., Belova O., Aleinikovas M., Armolaitis K. 2020. The effect of beaver dams on organic carbon, nutrients and methyl mercury distribution in impounded waterbodies. Wildlife Biology, 2020 (3). IF – 1,474
8. Belova O., Šežikas K. 2017. Dynamics and sustainable use of moose (Alces alces L.) population. Baltic Forestry, 23 (3): 711–723. IF – 0,635
9. Zizas R., Mozgeris G., Baliuckas V., Brazaitis G., Belova O., Grašytė G., Kurlavičius P. 2017. The effect of forest Landscape structure on the location and occupancy of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.) leks. Baltic Forestry, 23 (2): 411–422. IF – 0,635
10. Mizaras S., Kavaliauskas M., Činga G., Mizaraitė D., Belova O. 2015. Socio-economic aspects of recreational use of forests in Lithuania. Baltic Forestry, 21 (2): 308–314. IF – 0,530
11. Čeksterytė V., Kurtinaitienė B., Jansen E. H. J. M., Belova O. 2014. Melissopalynological analysis and biochemical assessment of the nectariferous plants in Lithuania. Baltic Forestry, 20 (2): 218–229. IF – 0,412
12. Brazaitis G., Pėtelis K., Žalkauskas R., Belova O., Danusevičius D., Marozas V., Narauskaitė G. 2014. Landscape effect for the Cervidae in human-dominated fragmented forests. European Journal of Forest Research, 133: 857–869. IF – 1,682
13. Belova O. 2013. The impact of moose (Alces alces L.) on woody vegetation and potential role of ecological corridors in the transboundary forests. Baltic Forestry, 19 (1): 67–80. IF – 0,304
14. Zizas R., Shamovich D., Kurlavičius P., Belova O., Brazaitis G. 2012. Radio-tracking of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.) in North Belarus. Baltic Forestry, 18 (2): 270–277. IF – 0,379
15. Belova O. 2012. The impact of herbivorous mammals on woody vegetation in the different stages of forest succession. Baltic Forestry, 18 (1): 100–110. IF – 0,379
16. Belova O. 2009. Expected climate change and options for European silviculture (ECHOES): Background and objectives. Baltic Forestry, 15 (1): 127–129. IF – 0,364
17. Kangur A., Belova O., Voolma K., Jõgiste K. 2009. Contrasting factors causing disturbances in forest ecosystems: Observations and experiments. Baltic Forestry, 15 (2): 139–142. IF – 0,364
18. Belova O. 2004. Habitat Use by the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in the fresh pine forests on the protected areas under different conservation regime. Ethology, Suppl. Blackwell Verlag Berlin Vienna, Boston-Edinburg, Sept. 38, 123, 110 (iss. suppl. 38), p. 1–170. IF – 1,947
19. Belova O. 2002. Parent-offspring relation in the brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas) under disturbed and undisturbed conditions. Ethology. Suppl. Blackwell Verlag Berlin Vienna, Boston-Edinburg, 108 (37): 160.
20. Belova O. 1984. Peculiarities of behaviour development in the young European hares (Lepus europaeus) in captivity. Zoologija, LXIII (9): 1403–1412. IF – 0,32

Other peer-reviewed publications

1. Barkauskas T., Griciuvienė L., Belova O., Bratčikovienė N. 2020. Impact of forest management on wild boar (Sus scrofa) population in south Lithuania. Biologija, 66 (2): 73–79.
2. Belova O., Tarvydas A., Urbaitis G. 2019. Wild Boar and Habitat Preference in Lithuania. In: Kramer, J. Drimaj, J. (Eds.): Proc. 12th Intern. Symp. On Wild Boar and Other Suids. Lázně Bělohrad Czech Rep., p. 94–108.
3. Zizas R., Belova O., Brazaitis G. 2012. Kurtinių Tetrao urogallus populiacijos būklė ir miško struktūra jų buveinėse. Miškininkystė, 2 (72): 47–54.
4. Belova O. 2011. Game under Spotlight: Scientific and Practical Knowledge in Game and Wildlife Management in 2011. Baltic Forestry, 17 (2): 237–239.

Other publications

1. Sheppard J., Santos-Silva C., Louro R., Stara K., Belova O., Spiecker H. 2020. Identification and ecology of NWFP species. Vacik H., Hale M., Spiecker, H., Pettenella D., Tomé M. (eds). Non-Wood Forest Products in Europe, Ecology and Management of Mushrooms, Tree Products, Understory Plants and Animal Products. Ch 2, BoD, Norderstedt, 416 p.
2. Sjöberg G., Belova O. 2020. Beaver as renewable resource: A Beaver Dam Handbook for the Baltic Sea Region. Interreg BSR WAMBAF, Swedish Forest Agency, TMG Tabergs V, 126 p.
3. Sjöberg G., Belova O., Wróbel M. 2020. General biology of beavers. Sjöberg G., Belova O. (eds). Beaver as Renewable Resource: A Beaver Dam Handbook for the Baltic Sea Region. Interreg BSR WAMBAF, Swedish Forest Agency, TMG Tabergs, Ch. 2, p. 4-11.
4. Belova O. 2020. Distribution in Europe and country-specific population status. Sjöberg G., Belova O. (eds). Beaver as Renewable Resource: A Beaver Dam Handbook for the Baltic Sea Region. Interreg BSR WAMBAF, Swedish Forest Agency, TMG Tabergs, Ch. 3, p. 12–31.
5. Belova O. 2020. General aspects of beaver hunting and trapping. Sjöberg G., Belova O. (eds). Beaver as Renewable Resource: A Beaver Dam Handbook for the Baltic Sea Region. Interreg BSR WAMBAF, Swedish Forest Agency, TMG Tabergs, Ch. 6, p. 50–59.
6. Belova O. 2020. The processing, marketing and use of beaver products. Sjöberg G., Belova O. (eds). Beaver as Renewable Resource: A Beaver Dam Handbook for the Baltic Sea Region. Interreg BSR WAMBAF, Swedish Forest Agency, TMG Tabergs, Ch. 7 p. 60–75
7. Sjöberg G., Ulevičius A., Belova O. 2020. Good practices for management of beavers in the Baltic Sea Region. Sjöberg G., Belova O. (eds). Beaver as Renewable Resource: A Beaver Dam Handbook for the Baltic Sea Region. Interreg BSR WAMBAF, Swedish Forest Agency, TMG Tabergs, Ch. 12, p. 102–121.
8. Belova O., Gedminas A., Urbaitis G. 2019. Šernų pasiskirstymas teritorijoje ir socialinis elgesys: GPS sekimo pranašumai. Agrariniai ir miškininkystės mokslai: naujausi tyrimų rezultatai ir inovatyvūs sprendimai. Mokslinės konferencijos pranešimai. LAMMC, 9: 50–51.
9. Belova O., Gedminas A. and Urbaitis G. 2019. GPS technology to track wild boars in Lithuania: the tool for research and management. Belova O. (ed.). Proceedings, extended abstracts 34th IUGB Congress 2019. Kaunas, p. 38–39;
10. Belova O. 2018. Bebrų poveikis sedimentų kaupimuisi miško sausinimo kanaluose. Agrariniai ir miškininkystės mokslai: naujausi tyrimų rezultatai ir inovatyvūs sprendimai. Mokslinės konferencijos pranešimai. LAMMC, 8: 55–57.
11. Belova O. 2018. Šernų gausos ilgalaikė kaita ir populiacijos kontrolė. Agrariniai ir miškininkystės mokslai: naujausi tyrimų rezultatai ir inovatyvūs sprendimai. Mokslinės konferencijos pranešimai. LAMMC, 8: 52–54.
12. Belova O. 2012. Beaver (Castor fiber L.) social communities as indicator of the local species state: forest natural disturbance or contributor. Proc. 6th Inter. Beaver Symp. Ivanić Grad, Croatia, 17–20 September 2012.
13. Belova O. 2012. Responses of herbivorous browsers to climate anomalies in boreal forests. Proc. FURN & SNS/EFINORD network meeting “Impact of ungulates and other mammalian herbivores on forest ecosystems”, 8–12 Oct. 2012, Järvselja EULS, Estonia.
14. Belova O. 2012. Evaluating the Impact of Herbivorous Mammals on Transboundary Forest Ecosystems and an Importance of Potential Ecological Corridors. Belova O. et al. (Eds.): Spatial Distribution of the Invertebrate and Vertebrate Animals and their Present and Possible Migratory Paths in the Forest Ecosystems of Lithuanian-Belarusian Transboundary Areas, Scientific Proc. Intern. Sci. Conf.  (TAP-29/2011, Research Council of Lithuania). Kaunas, p. 19–30.
15. Belova O. 2011. Spatial Distribution of Herbivorous Mammals in the Transboundary Forests and Their Effects on Woody Vegetation. Spatial Distribution of the Invertebrate and Vertebrate Animals and their Present and Possible Migratory Paths in the Forest Ecosystems of Lithuanian-Belarusian Transboundary Areas, Scientific Proc. Intern. Sci. Workshop (TAP LB 16/2012, Research Council of Lithuania). Kaunas, p. 28–35
16. Belova O. 2011. Effect of herbivorous mammals on woody plants depending on forest succession. M. Puigcerver, F. Buner (Eds.): Proc. IUGB XXX Congr. Barcelona, Unv. Barcelona, 144.

Monographs, books, textbooks and their sections published by international publishers

1. Ciezewska A., Drexler D., Kalincsak P., Belova O. and Prochazka J. 2010. Eastern Region. In: U. Probst et al. (Eds.): Management of Recreation and Nature Based Tourism in European Forests. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 336 p. (Intern. mngr).
2. Belova O., Karazija S., Šaudytė S. 2005. Description of the historical background that has led to the development of particular national Protected Forest Area Frameworks. Country report – Lithuania. COST E27 Protected Forest Areas in Europe – Analysis and Harmonisation: Rep. Signatory Countries. Vienna, p. 211–231 (Intern. mgr.)

Monographs, books, textbooks and their sections published by national publishers

1. Belova O. 2001. Medžiojamųjų gyvūnų etologija. ISBN 9955-452-48-X. Kaunas-Lututė, 260 p. (Mngr.)
2. Belova O., Milišauskas Z., Padaiga V., Valenta V., Vasiliauskas A., Zolubas P., Žiogas A. (Red.). 2000. Miško apsaugos vadovas. ISBN 9986-756-91-X. Kaunas, Lututė, 352 p. (Kol. mngr.).

Recommendations

1. Belova O. 2021. Pilkojo kiškio populiacijos atkūrimas. Naujausios rekomendacijos žemės ir miškų ūkiui. Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras, Akademija, Kėdainių r., p. 12–13.
2. Belova O., Čiuldienė D. 2019. Bebrų užtvankų kontrolė pagal jų įtaką maisto medžiagų ir toksinių junginių kaupimuisi vandens telkinių sedimentuose. Naujausios rekomendacijos žemės ir miškų ūkiui. Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras, Akademija, Kėdainių r., p. 65–67.
3. Belova O. 2017. Naujojo šernų apskaitos metodo taikymas. Naujausios rekomendacijos žemės ir miškų ūkiui. Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras, Akademija, Kėdainių r., p. 74–76.
4. Belova O. 2015. Šernų (Sus scrofa L.) populiacijos kokybinio, kiekybinio ir teritorinio valdymo rekomendacijos žalos žemės bei miškų ūkiui mažinimui ir užkrečiamų ligų prevencijai. In: Naujausios rekomendacijos žemės ir miškų ūkiui. Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras, Akademija, Kėdainių r. sav., p. 60–62.
5. Belova O. 2013. Elninių žvėrių daromo neigiamo poveikio miško želdiniams ir žėliniams vertinimo metodikos tikslinimo rekomendacijos. In: Naujausios rekomendacijos žemės ir miškų ūkiui. Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras, Akademija, Kėdainių r. sav., p. 54–57.
6. Belova O. 2013. Bebrų daromo poveikio įvertinimas ir populiacijos kontrolė. In: Naujausios rekomendacijos žemės ir miškų ūkiui. Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras, Akademija, Kėdainių r. sav., p. 51–54.
7. Belova O. 2013. Miško apsaugos nuo bestuburių bei stuburinių gyvūnų daromos žalos efektyvumo didinimo ir retųjų rūšių išsaugojimo rekomendacijos Lietuvos ir Baltarusijos pasienio miškų ūkiui. In: Naujausios rekomendacijos žemės ir miškų ūkiui. Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras, Akademija, Kėdainių r. sav., p. 60–61.
8. Armolaitis K., Belova O., Danusevičius D., Gedminas A., Karazija S., Kavoliūnienė D., Mikšys V., Ozolinčius R., Pliūra A., Raguotis A., Ruseckas J., Saladis J., Suchockas V., Urbaitis G. (sud. R. Ozolinčius). 2006. Biologinės įvairovės išsaugojimas miškonaudoje: rekomendacijos. Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos ministerija, Lietuvos miškų institutas, Kaunas Lututė, 28 p.

Popular press articles

1. Belova O. 2013. Elninių žvėrių daromo poveikio želdiniams ir žėliniams vertinimo nūdienos problemos. Mūsų girios, 3: 34–40.
2. Belova O. 2012. Baltijos jūros regiono miškų ir vandens tinklas ir bebrai. Mūsų girios, 3: 32–34.
3. Belova O. 2012. Baltijos jūros regiono miškų ir vandens tinklas ir bebrai. Mūsų girios, 4: 34–35.