RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS OF WETLANDS KRYACHEK LAKE AND NEIGHBORHOOD (ULYANOVSK REGION)

Abstract

Paper presents materials of comprehensive research (physical-geographical characteristics, plant cover, ichtyofauna) of Kryachek (Kryazh) Lake and of three worked-out bogs (Stanovoe, Lebyazhye and unnamed in 2 km to east of the Lyakhovka village) located near this lake. At present, all investigated water bodies are lakes with a more or less developed sphagnum-sedge, serge-calamagrostis-sphagnum quaking mires. Physiographic characteristics (surface of bottom for Kryachek Lake, pH of water, depth of lakes), plant cover and ichthyofauna of lakes were studied during researches. It was revealed that Kryachek Lake and depleted peatlands have a high floristic diversity relatively to other similar ecosystem (lakes, raised bogs and transition mires). Altogether 77 species of vascular plants from 48 genera and 32 families were revealed within studied objects. Among the studied flora, species of ferns, raised bogs, transition mires and, also, aquatic andlittoral-aquatic plant species are presented due to the presence of various microecotopes (young and formed quaking mires of raised bogs and transitional mires, fens, ditches, backwaters, shallow waters, deep areas). Studied wetlands are places of location many rare plants in forest-steppe-Potamogeton obtusifolius Mert. et Koch, P. praelongus Wulf., Scheuchzeria palustris L., Eriophorum gracile Koch, Carex chordorrhiza Ehrh., C. limosa L., Hammarbya paludosa (L.) O. Kuntze, Salix lapponum L., S. myrtilloides L., Drosera rotundifolia L., Oxycoccus palustris Pers., Utricularia intermedia Hayne, U. minor L. Ichthyofauna of studied water bodies with sphagnum quaking mire is very poor. Altogether, four limnophilic fish species were registered (Leucaspius delineatus (Heckel, 1843), Carassius auratus (Linnaeus, 1758), C. carassius (Linnaeus, 1758), Misgurnus fossilis (Linnaeus, 1758)). This is explained by the peculiarities of physical-chemical environment settings (in particular, it is the dynamics of pH in the range of 4,3-6,4 within a water body) and a considerable distance from the rivers which are the main source of resettlement of different fish species.