Уровень развития зооперифитона на искусственных рифах, установленных в приглубой зоне северо-западной части Каспийского моря

Abstract

The creation of artificial reefs is of great importance in increasing the production of marine biological resources and widespread distribution. Various goals are pursued under the implementation of such projects including the enrichment of local populations of fish and other marine life. Artificial reefs are usually rapidly populated by fouling, and research into these communities is of interest as they will increase food resources and shelters, making reefs more attractive to fish. This paper presents the taxonomic composition and quantitative characteristics of zooverifiton of artificial reefs installed at depths of 10-12 m in a remote part of the North Caspian. The results of the studies showed that on artificial reefs the level of development of organisms using them as a habitat is significantly higher than in the natural biotope. There was a seasonal decrease in the level of development of both individual species and, in general, zooverifiton by an average of 4 times. Compared to zoobenthos, the abundance and biomass of foulers were higher, this was most significantly observed in the summer. Quantitative indicators of zooverifiton formed crustaceans and molluscs in both seasons of research. The dominant periphyton species are mytilyaster and balyanus. The results of the studies showed that almost all species noted in fouling were found in the composition of zoobenthos samples taken near artificial reefs. Analysis of this study did not reveal an increase in species diversity in this area of the sea, however, a high level of abundance and biomass of organisms indicates the importance of artificial reefs to improve the food supply of fish.