The Study of the Higher Aquatic Flora of the Middle Don Basin within Rostov Region

Michael M Sereda,Vladimir S Lysenko,Vlada A Sereda,Olga A Kapralova,Olesya G Lysenko,Tatyana V Varduni,Pavel A Dmitriev,Boris L Kozlovskiy

doi:10.3844/ojbsci.2015.244.250

Abstract

Middle Don basin is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, characterized by high diversity of vascular terrestrial plants. However, the significance of its freshwater biodiversity is not well understood now. In the given paper we present the results of the investigation of higher aquatic flora of basin streams and reservoirs within the Middle Don, Rostov region. 90 species of 53 genera and 32 families belonging to the four departments of higher plants were identified. The biodiversity of the Middle Don aquatic flora is discussed using the previously obtained herbal and biogeographic data and considering ecological, geographical and human factors. A systematic, ecological and geographical analysis of the regional aquatic flora has been conducted.

Highlights

Studies of higher aquatic flora are an important part of ecological and biogeographic investigations in different regions of the world (Chambers et al, 2008; Bella et al, 2008; Chappuis et al, 2011; Figueroa et al, 2013; Davies and Stewart, 2013)
Don River basin is bordered by the Voronezh region in the west and by the Volgograd region in the east (Fig. 1). This area is a part of the basin of the Middle Don, which upper border lies over the inflow Point of voronezh River (Fig. 1)
The purpose of this work is to analyze the flora of higher plants of lakes and rivers of the Middle Don basin within the Rostov region

Summary

Introduction

Studies of higher aquatic flora are an important part of ecological and biogeographic investigations in different regions of the world (Chambers et al, 2008; Bella et al, 2008; Chappuis et al, 2011; Figueroa et al, 2013; Davies and Stewart, 2013). Don River basin is bordered by the Voronezh region in the west and by the Volgograd region in the east (Fig. 1) This area is a part of the basin of the Middle Don, which upper border lies over the inflow Point of voronezh River (Fig. 1) The basic investigations of this field were performed by Balazs (1955) and Fedjaeva (2004).

Objectives

Methods

Results