Vegetation of the red algal belt of the White Sea (European Arctic, Russia)

Abstract

In 2016–2018, during the summer period, the first detail studies of the red algal belt of the White Sea were carried out time with SCUBA diving at the Chupa Inlet, near the Cape Kartesh, and at the Kolvitsa Inlet (the Kandalaksha Bay), in the vicinity of Sonostrov Island (the White Sea Basin) and Bolshoy Zhuzhmuy Island (the Onega Bay). The upper boundary of the red algal belt lies at a depth of about 7 m, and the lower boundary, at a depth of about 20 m. In the White Sea, the algae distribution in the lower part of the photic zone depends on the geomorphological structure of the bottom and on the composition of the accompanying sedentary fauna, so the lower boundary may vary in the depth range from 14 down to 23 m. In total, 87 species of algae belonging to the three large taxonomic groups have been registered: Chlorophyta (13), Phaeophyceae (33), and Rhodophyta (41). Significant richness of the species composition, vertical zoning, and a variety of phytocoenoses of the red algal belt in different parts of the White Sea have been found. Phytocoenoses of the red algal belt refer to three associations: ass. Odonthalia dentata(–Pseudolithoderma extensum), ass. Phycodrys rubens+Coccotylus truncatus(–Pseudolithoderma extensum), and ass. Lithothamnion glaciale. Nineteen species of macrophytes were the most common and characteristic representatives of the red algal belt, including thirteen species of red algae, four species of brown algae, and two species of green algae. It has been found that abundant and characteristic species of the red algal belt have an additional edificatory function in the studied phytocoenoses, being the consorts that carry rich epiflora and form favorable conditions for increasing the species diversity of algae in the lower phytal zone. The observed rapid shrinkage of the depth range of the kelp and red algal belts, as well as the changes in the vertical distribution of some other algal species in the White Sea, require specific attention concerning altering of their habitat conditions.