History of the study of macrozoobenthos in rivers of Karelia and Murmansk region

Abstract

A review of studies of zoobenthos in rivers ofKareliaand the Murmansk Region is presented. Many scientific institutions of Northwest of Russia took part in these activities. Four study periods have been distinguished according to the scope and goals of the work: prior to 1926 – the first bits of information about the animal population of some rivers were collected; from 1926 to 1949 – targeted expeditions were organized, the composition and abundances of benthic communities in some rivers of Karelia and theKola Peninsula were determined; from 1950 to 1994 – specialized research institutions were established, information of value for fisheries and fish farming was collected (forage resources available to juvenile salmonids, human impact on the structure of benthic communities); from 1995 onwards – the range of research has been significantly broadened, particular attention is given to local problems and specific issues, yielding detailed results on the one hand, and the use of modern methods of generalization made it possible to process large data sets on the other hand. For many rivers the composition and structure of zoobenthos, their seasonal dynamics were discovered. The patterns of functioning of benthic communities under human impact, as well as in areas receiving limnological flow have been studied. The zoobenthos of rivers ofKareliaand the Murmansk Region thus has a long history of studies. However, the task of identifying patterns in the formation of macrozoobenthos in natural ecosystems and under human-induced environmental changes is still relevant and important.