UDC 574.58 (571.54/55)

Bazarova B.B., Borzenko S.V., Tashlykova N.A., Afonina E.Yu., Matafonov P.V.,  Tsybekmitova G.Ts., Kuklin A.P. BIODIVERSITY OF HYDROBIONTS IN SODA, CHLORIDE, AND SULPHATE LAKES (TRANSBAIKALIA, RUSSIA) // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 187-201. | PDF

The article presents the results of a comprehensive hydrochemical and hydrobiological study of 13 different lakes in Transbaikalia carried out in July 2022. Based on cluster analysis of the hydrochemical and hydrobiological indicators, the studied lakes were divided into three groups: 1) brackish soda lakes; 2) chloride and sulfate lakes and one salty soda lake, Lake Shvartsevskoye; and 3) soda brine lakes. It was found that the number of species of different groups of hydrobionts decreases with increasing salinity of water. At the same time, the number of species of different groups of hydrobionts does not depend on the chemical type of water. However, the dominant composition of primary producers in lakes of different types differs. Two new species of macroalgae (Stigeoclonium flagelliferum Kütz., Rhizoclonium riparium (Roth.) Harv.) were identified for Transbaikalia. After more than a 100-year hiatus, the presence of Ruppia maritime L. was confirmed in the aquatic flora of Siberian Baikal. Galotolerant species dominate in the zooplankton of the lakes. In the dominant structure of the zoobenthos of brine and salty lakes, Artemia shrimp and Ephydridae flies are prevalent. In deeper brackish lakes, representatives of the Chironomidae mosquito family are permanent dominants. Quantitative indicators of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities are characterized by an inverse relationship. For example, during the massive development of cryptophytic algae in brine water bodies, the numerical values and biomass of zooplankton are minimal. No specific tendencies were identified in the range of fluctuations in the biomass of zoobenthos and the phytomass of aquatic plants. The trophic structure of heterotrophs in sulfate and chloride lakes is presented in the zooplankton by a grazing chain, while detritivores dominate in the zoobenthos.

Keywords: salinity, phytoplankton, macrophytes, zoobenthos, zooplankton, primary production, chlorophyll a.

Funding. This work was carried out for the Grant No. 22-17-00035 of the Russian Science Foundation “Ecology and Evolution of Aquatic Ecosystems under Conditions of Climatic Fluctuations and Anthropogenic Pressure”.

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-187-201

EDN: SWFILX