UDC

597.2/.5:556.55(470.13)

Authors

Rafikov Ruslan Raisovich
Institute of Biology of the Komi Science Centre of the Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Syktyvkar, Russia)
e-mail: rafikov@ib.komisc.ru
Novoselov Aleksandr Pavlovich
Northern Branch of Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography, Arkhangelsk Scientific Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Arkhangelsk, Russia)
e-mail: novoselov@pinro.ru
Zakharov Aleksandr Borisovich
Institute of Biology of the Komi Science Centre of the Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Syktyvkar, Russia)
e-mail: zacharov@ib.komisc.ru

Abstract

The paper describes the process of formation of ichthyofauna in the Nyuvchim and Kazhim reservoirs, formed in the minor rivers of the Komi Republic. Due to changes in environmental conditions when creating new reservoirs with decelerated flow the rheophilic species disappear from a fish community, which leads to decrease in species diversity of fish in it. The formation of ichthyofauna in the minor reservoirs is largely determined by external factors (reservoir morphology, flooding time, degree of weediness). For example, filling of the reservoir in autumn caused uncharacteristic ichthyofauna structure, and a burbot became of the highest ranking. A sunbleak was found in the Nyuvchim reservoir. It had not been detected before. This demonstrated the fact of underinvestigated minor rivers of the area. Uncontrolled fishing as one of the most powerful factors accelerates the formation of ichthyofauna of artificial reservoirs. As a result, within a short period of time (5–10 years) the formation of fish community reaches the final stage, which is characterized by low productive perch and roach type with vacant niches for planktophages and benthophages. To increase the fishery status of the studied reservoirs we recommend the invasion of the autochthonous fish species, such as a goldfish and a bream. The self-reproducing carp population existing in the largest reservoir of the Komi Republic – a water pond of the Pechora state district power station can become a donor population for stocking of the investigated reservoirs. A pike perch as a specie of predatory fishes is the most promising brood fish, as ectogenous specie in the Vychegda river basin.

Keywords

ichthyofauna, minor reservoirs, low species diversity, amateur fishing, perch and roach type, sunbleak, vacant niches

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