THE STRUCTURE OF ZOOCENOSES IN THE AREA OF INSTALLATION OF BOTTOM STATIONS IN THE NORTHERN CASPIAN

Abstract

The relevance of the analysis of the ecological situation in the locations of bottom stations (artificial reefs) is due to the potential danger of negative consequences for the ecosystem. The article provides an assessment of changes in the state of zoobenthos in the area of the liquidated exploration and evaluation wells of the Rakushechnaya structure and bottom stations located at their mouths. Over a ten-year period there have been changes in the structure of the zoocenoses. The decrease in the abundance and biomass of crustaceans and mollusks occurred mainly due to species with a narrow ecological valence to salinity and oxygen. The increase in the quantitative indices of annelids occurred mainly due to the introduction of the invasive genus Marenzelleria. The displacement of stenobiont species by eurybiont species is due to a decrease in the level of the Caspian Sea and the changes in the hydrological and hydrochemical regime that occur against this background. The increase in the total number and biomass of benthic organisms, as well as the presence of food ichthyofauna in the zoobenthos pool, indicate that there is no negative impact of bottom stations on the zoocenosis and forage potential of the water area.