Structure of Hydrobiocenoses in Mineral and Thermal Springs of the Lake Baikal Region: A Review

Abstract

The available published data and materials from our own research into 14 mineral and 19 thermal springs of the Lake Baikal Region performed in 1997–2017 are summarized. Soil profiles have been laid and samples of water, algae, lichens, mosses, and vascular plants and qualitative and quantitative specimens of zoobenthos have been taken. The profile of soils in the area of springs is short and their chemical composition corresponds to that of water; they are called parasoils. We reveal 257 species of algae in the mineral springs, and most of them (196 species) are assigned to the diatoms. The lichen flora is nonspecific. Seven species are found in the mineral springs, and 100 lower taxa are sampled around the thermal springs. Six types of communities of zoobenthos are specified in the mineral sodium chloride springs according to the group of macroinvertebrates, dominating in biomass: Gastropoda-like, Turbellaria-like, Chironomidae-like, Amphipoda-like, Psychodidae-like, and Ephydridae-like. In the thermal springs, four types of communities of zoobenthos are recognized: Gastropoda-like (with the specification into mono-, two- and three-dominant), Odonata-like, Amphipoda-like, and Chironomidae-like. The thermal springs are mainly characterized by high biomass typical for eutrophic and hypertrophic lakes. The species status of mollusk Lymnaea thermobaicalica—endemic to high-thermal springs—is confirmed.