Abstract
A survey of the morphological and hydrological characteristics of the lake and analysis of the species composition, abundance, and biomass of phytoplankton, phytoperiphyton, zooplankton, and zoobenthos were carried out as a part of the complex study for establishing a new protected area “Lake Pizanets”. The effect of natural and anthropogenic factors on the hydrochemical regime and structure of aquatic ecosystems of the lake was assessed. The trophic status of the lake, its saprobity, and the significance of particular communities and bioindication indices were estimated. The species composition and dominant species of the studied communities of the lake were quite typical for freshwater bodies of the region. Despite the fact that the abundance and biomass of macrozoobenthos turned out to be lower than in other lakes of Eastern Fennoscandia, generally, the abundance and biomass of phytoplankton, phytoperiphyton, zooplankton, and zoobenthos evidenced on relatively high degree of their development in the lake Pizanets, as well as on their activity and stability. At the same time, the species, forming the communities, differed in size noticeably; therefore, significant discrepancies were found between the lists of taxa dominating by abundance and by biomass. The biotic indices and hydrochemical indicators indicated mainly a low degree of pollution, so the lake waters could be classified as belonging to water purity class II. Nowadays, the lake is not affected by significant anthropogenic load. However, according to the program of establishing new protected areas, further control of the hydrobiological and hydrochemical indicators of the reservoir, as well as its inclusion in the environmental monitoring program is undoubtful.
Highlights
The Republic of Karelia has a well-developed hydrographic network belonging to the basins of the White and Baltic seas
The species, forming the communities, differed in size noticeably; significant discrepancies were found between the lists of taxa dominating by abundance and by biomass
The lake belongs to the White Sea basin and is located in the upper part of the catchment area of the Vyg River (White Sea-Baltic Canal) (Fig. 1C) within the catchment of the Luzhma River, which is a tributary of the Lake Segozero (Segozero Reservoir)
Summary
The Republic of Karelia has a well-developed hydrographic network belonging to the basins of the White and Baltic seas. Lakes of tectonic origin look especially attractive. These include the Lake Pisanets, which in recent years has been actively visited by tourists. Hydrochemical and hydrobiological studies have never been carried out here, there is no ongoing protection program for the lake, and no data exist in the scientific literature (Lakes of Karelia, 2013). The protection of valuable water bodies in the Republic of Karelia is carried out within the framework of integrated protected areas (Nauchnoe obosnovanie..., 2009). The number of water bodies and watercourses within the existing protected areas is clearly insufficient, especially considering the abundance of water bodies on the territory of the republic and the importance of conservation not just water as a resource, but the entire aquatic environment as a habitat for different organisms (Revenga et al, 2005)
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