Riverbed Depression Research Articles

Годовая динамика плотности и таксономического состава рыбного населения русловой ямы (влияние факторов)

The article reports the results of the study on the annual dynamics of fish density, taxonomic composition of the fish population in a section of a riverbed depression in the lower reaches of the Irtysh River. A complex system of interaction between environmental factors and fish relationships in the predator-prey system in the studied section of the river under changing environmental factors is considered. The study was conducted using echometric sounding of the water column of the riverbed depression with an acoustic complex; during the open water period it was performed from a boat and during the ice cover period — from a snowmobile. The study also analysed the dynamics of environmental factors (turbidity, temperature, water level) and their effect on fish density. The maximum fish density in the riverbed depression was observed in summer, when juveniles migrate from the floodplain to the main channel. Fish density differed significantly during periods of open water and ice cover. Groups of cyprinids and percids had the largest share in the fish population. Their joint share varied from 68.53 to 87.42% of the total fish density; these values were noted in January and August, respectively. The maximum fish density was noted in June, the minimum density — in October and December: 4.49, 1.19 and 1.45 thousand ind./ha, respectively. The dynamics of the total fish density in the water area of the riverbed depression is described by a polynomial regression equation, and the only influencing factor is water temperature. The dynamics of the density of taxonomic groups in the water area of the riverbed depression demonstrated the following characteristic features: for the density of cyprinids the influencing factors were temperature and the water level; for percids, coregonids and pikes — the density of cyprinids, cyprinids and percids, respectively; for burbots and sturgeons — the water level. The study revealed that turbidity has high reliable correlation with the water level and temperature.

Meander reshaping – the formation process of a wintering riverbed depression of fish

The study of the spatiotemporal distribution of fish is an important and poorly studied aspect of the ecology of aquatic organisms. The research work was performed using the modern hydroacoustic method and geographic information systems. A section in the lower reaches of the Irtysh, a large transboundary Siberian river (in Western Siberia, Russian Federation), was studied. It has a strong development of meandering. The merging (i.e., reshaping of closely spaced meanders and erosion-accumulating channel processes) results in development of wintering riverbed depression, which is a critical “temporal bottleneck” during the winter period of the fish life cycle. The average density of fish in the study area in summer and autumn was 8,031 and 9,194 individuals per ha, respectively. Analysis of the distribution of fish showed that the distribution in the horizontal aspect had a more aggregated character in the autumn. In the vertical aspect, it had a more surface (pelagic) character. The ichthyofauna in the water area of the riverbed depression is mainly represented by cyprinids. The loop-shaped evolution of the channel formed a section of the river with multidirectional, circulating, and counter-current flows. It also created zones with depths exceeding 20 m and aggregations of fish. These features characterize the studied water area as a wintering riverbed depression of the fish of the Lower Irtysh. This section of the river should be included in the list of protected wintering biotopes of fish in the West Siberian fishery basin, which will ensure the conservation of fish at the critical stage of the life cycle.

Meander reshaping – the formation process of a wintering riverbed depression of fish

The study of the spatiotemporal distribution of fish is an important and poorly studied aspect of the ecology of aquatic organisms. The research work was performed using the modern hydroacoustic method and geographic information systems. A section in the lower reaches of the Irtysh, a large transboundary Siberian river (in Western Siberia, Russian Federation), was studied. It has a strong development of meandering. The merging (i.e., reshaping of closely spaced meanders and erosion-accumulating channel processes) results in development of wintering riverbed depression, which is a critical “temporal bottleneck” during the winter period of the fish life cycle. The average density of fish in the study area in summer and autumn was 8,031 and 9,194 individuals per ha, respectively. Analysis of the distribution of fish showed that the distribution in the horizontal aspect had a more aggregated character in the autumn. In the vertical aspect, it had a more surface (pelagic) character. The ichthyofauna in the water area of the riverbed depression is mainly represented by cyprinids. The loop-shaped evolution of the channel formed a section of the river with multidirectional, circulating, and counter-current flows. It also created zones with depths exceeding 20 m and aggregations of fish. These features characterize the studied water area as a wintering riverbed depression of the fish of the Lower Irtysh. This section of the river should be included in the list of protected wintering biotopes of fish in the West Siberian fishery basin, which will ensure the conservation of fish at the critical stage of the life cycle.

СУТОЧНАЯ И МЕЖСЕЗОННАЯ ДИНАМИКА ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННОГО РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ РЫБ В АКВАТОРИИ ЗИМОВАЛЬНОЙ РУСЛОВОЙ ЯМЫ

To study the dynamics of the spatial distribution of fish under ice cover the research was carried out in the water area of the riverbed depression located in the lower reaches of the Irtysh River (Western Siberia, Tyumen region). The research was conducted by using the hydroacoustic method based on a computerized hydroacoustic software-hardware complex. It was found that, in the diurnal aspect, throughout the entire observation period (December - April), the number of fish in the riverbed increases during the dark period of the day, and during the light period it decreases. The dominant groups of fish change with the change of the period of the day: December - cyprinids prevail in the dark period of the day, in March and April - in the light period of the day, the rest of the time the group of percids predominated. With an increase in water temperature from December to April from 3.7 to 6.5 °C, it was noted that the density of fish decreases from 184 
 to 8 sp/hect. in the daytime and from 2157 to 91 sp/hect. at night (dark period), respectively. Fish explore the horizons of the water column of the riverbed depression during the day and night from the surface to the bottom with the highest density indicators near the surface, except - the daytime in December. With increasing density of fish at nightfall at the same time, there was an increase used water area of riverbed depression. In the vertical aspect, cyprinids avoid predators (pike, in-connu, burbot) in the diurnal dynamics; the distribution of cyprinids has a significant negative cor-relation with the distribution of the second group of fish. Thus, the features of the vertical and hori-zontal distribution of fish in the diurnal dynamics throughout the entire observation period are the strategy of their survival: for prey - escape from predators, for predators - search for food objects

ЛОКАЛИТЕТ ФОРМИРУЮЩЕЙСЯ ЗИМОВАЛЬНОЙ ЯМЫ В РЕКЕ ИРТЫШ

The article describes a new locality of the formed wintering riverbed depression discovered in the erosion zone of the isthmus of conjugate meanders of the Irtysh river for the rational use and effective protection of aquatic biological resources in places of their concentration in the Irtysh river basin (Western Siberia, the Russian Federation. The morphology of the riverbed depression was mapped (relief and bathymetric maps). The maximum depths in the channel depression exceeded 27 m. The channel depression and 4 control river sections were studied. The analysis 
 of hydroacoustic surveys showed that in the wintering riverbed depression there is, according to the statistical data, higher fish density compared to the control areas: in the water area of the riverbed depression the average fish density made 4 524 species/ha, in the control sections 245-2091 sp./ha. The cluster analysis based on the fish density and the size-taxonomic composition of the ichthyofauna has revealed that the riverbed depression is being separated into a cluster, but at the same time goes to the control section No. 4, which is located downstream, where further erosion of the river channel is registered. In this regard, the minimum protection zone of the wintering channel depression should include the water area of the channel depression and the water area of control section No. 4. In the water areas of the riverbed depression and control sections in the spring period, cyprinids dominate - up to 65% of the total number of fish, percids are represented to a lesser extent - 36.76%, coregonids and pikes - up to 18.18, sturgeons - up to 9.31%. The given locality of the wintering riverbed depression must be included in the list of protected river sections of the Fishing Rules for the West Siberian fishery basin for developing the effective strategy for the protection, restoration and rational use of aquatic biological resources, including rare and endangered fish species of the Irtysh River and the whole Ob-Irtysh basin

Distribution of sturgeon in the River Irtysh

Using the modern hydroacoustic methods and the computerized software and hardware complex “AsCor”, the features of the distribution of fish of the Acipenseridae family in the lower reaches of the large transboundary river the Irtysh (Western Siberia) have been investigated: in the water area of the riverbed depression (turbulent flow) and control sections (laminar flow). The identification of sturgeon was carried out by the echometric method according to the shape of the swim bladder. It is shown that in the water area of the riverbed depression, increased density of fish is formed, the share of sturgeons being 4.9–5.8%. Among other fish species, the group of cyprinids always dominates. The significant excess of the average fish density in the riverbed depression, in contrast to the control, was 6–30 times. In the water area of the riverbed depression, the average fish density was 4,524, in the control sections 245–2,091 individuals/ha. The size structure of the group of sturgeon in the control sections was represented by individuals with body sizes less than 25–30 cm, and in the riverbed depression – by individuals of different sizes and ages with a body length to 35 cm. The water area of the riverbed depression is located in the meandering section of the river and is characterized by intense vertical vortex structures (whirlpools) and the presence of malfunctioning currents. Features of the hydrological characteristics of the riverbed depression are factors in the formation of aggregations of fish, since fish can use the energy of discrete vortices, low-velocity areas, and as a result, show preference for certain turbulence regimes.

Суточная динамика вертикального распределения и доля осетровых рыб в русловой яме в летне-осенний период

The article presents the results of studying the fish distribution in the water column of the riverbed depression using remote echometric sounding with a software-hardware acoustic system with a vertical view. The study was conducted in the lower reaches of the Irtysh River. In the appointed period (July-October) under a decrease in the level regime and water temperature the increasing density of fish in the water area of the riverbed depression is explained by fish gathering in the period preceding wintering. The share of sturgeons varied from 5.46 to 10.28% of the total fish density, the indicators of which were in the range 1.70-5.05 thousand sp/ha in the daytime, 2.78-6.77 thousand sp/ha in the night. There has been stated the daily vertical migration of sturgeons, which is more uniform throughout the water column in the night, including the near-surface and near-bottom water horizons. In the dark near-surface water horizons are most intensively explored by large fish (25-30, 30-35, > 35 cm). The trigger of the daily vertical migration of sturgeons is supposed to be the light brightness, despite the poor eyesight of the fish under study, i.e. changing vertical position of sturgeons occurs due to endogenous circadian rhythms, as in many hydrobionts. The recorded features of sturgeon distribution because of preference of the direction and intensity of various factors can contribute to the optimization of bioenergy losses in hard turbulent conditions of riverbed depressions.

Распределение рыб в русловой яме и сопряженных водоемах (эффекты освещенности и турбулентности)

The paper describes the studies carried out by the hydroacoustic method in the open water period (spring) in the water area of the riverbed depression of the Irtysh River and its conju-gated water bodies (Western Siberia, the Russian Federation) in 2017. Collectively investigated reservoirs form a laminar-turbulent system, as they vary in intensity and direction of currents which form a certain turbulence and turbidity. It has been stated that in the dark time the fish population density increases in the waters of the reservoir with the maximal turbulence and turbidity rates - 166 NTU (the Irtysh river), and decreases in other water bodies (in the Konda river - 20.75 NTU and in the lentic section of the riverbed depression - 25 NTU). In the waters of conjugate reservoirs an increasing share of cyprinids is accompanying by a decrease in the proportion of predatory fish, while with an increase in predatory fish, on the contrary, the proportion of cyprinids decreases. A significant difference (P < 0.001) in terms of fish density was noted in the dark time. It was found that of the two factors (time of the day and turbulence) the second factor has a significant reliable effect (F = 18.518; P < 0.001) on the variable of fish population average density, both factors reliably interacting (F = 3.982; P = 0.037). There has been shown a transition of non-predatory fish to the site that is visually and hydrodynamically the most difficult for finding prey, which seems to be an element of reducing the risk of predation. Thus, there was found a significant influence of an abiotic factor of turbulence and, consequently, arising turbidity when interacting with the illumination factor on forming the increased fish concentration in the waters of the riverbed depression during the open water period.

Effects of temperature and water levels on dynamics of density and structure of the fish population of the channel-floodplain complex of a large river in the period of spring floods

The article discusses the features of the dynamic process of migration of ichthyofauna from wintering sites to the wetlands of a large boreal river for feeding and spawning. The influence of factors of temperature and water level on various groups of fish is estimated, and the role of water bodies of various types during fish migration in a flooded floodplain is also established. The research was performed during the spring flood in the floodplain-channel complex of the Irtysh River (Western Siberia, Russian Federation) in the water area of the conjugate water bodies: the lotic and lentic parts of the riverbed depression and the mouth of the tributary – transit section of the migration pathway of fish to the flooded floodplain. The research work was performed by “AsCor” – computerized hydroacoustic complex, hydroacoustic survey data were processed in the laboratory. The “AsCor” complex remotely performs taxonomic identification of abundant species of fish at the family level by groups (Cyprinidae, Percidae, Coregonidae–Esocidae, Acipenseridae–Lotidae). It was found that after the breakup of ice cover, maximum densities of fish were observed in the wintering sections – the initial location of the spring migration. During the 30-days observation period in the wintering sections and conjugate water bodies, the density of fish decreased from 4 to 13 times due to their migration to the floodplain. The response to a decrease in the overall density of fish in the year-round functioning lotic part of the riverbed depression to the influence of factors of water level and temperature regimes was >0.300 in general for ichthyofauna and for all groups of fish registered by hydroacoustic method (Cyprinidae, Percidae, Coregonidae–Esocidae, Acipenseridae–Lotidae). We constructed regression models of changes in the density of fish in the wintering sections of the river depending on the considered factors. Use of ANOVA analysis of variance confirmed the adequacy of the choice and the acceptability of the constructed models. We established a high statistically significant inverse correlation between the density of the fish, the water level and temperature regime for the mouth of the Konda River and the lentic part of the riverbed depression, which are transit sections of the migration pathway of fish in the floodplain. The lentic part of the riverbed depression may perform the function of a temporary station of fish during migration to the floodplain, which is beneficial from the point of view of bioenergetics resources. During the observation period, in the river flows there was a decrease in the proportion of larger fish and an increase in smaller individuals; in the lentic part of the riverbed depression, on the contrary, there was a reduced proportion of small fish and increase in the proportion of larger individuals.This pattern is explained by the reduced risk of predation by small fish in more turbulent conditions, as well as by an initial entry into the flooded floodplain of larger individuals of fish for spawning, followed by the smaller ones for feeding.

Winter Fish Distribution in the Riverbed Depression in the Urtysh River

Winter fish distribution is investigated by means of computerized hydroacoustic complexes in the largest riverbed depression in the Irtysh. Fish aggregations whose position, density, abundance, and size composition are much modified during winter are formed under ice in the riverbed depression. In the early winter, the density and abundance of fish aggregations are higher than those before spring. Distribution of fish over the depression changes from month to month, but the attribution of most fish to open water and to near-surface layers remains invariable. In the water area of the depression, the fish are combined into dynamic aggregations. Under ice, the majority of the fish are represented by small-sized cyprinids (Cyprinidae).

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ МОРФОМЕТРИЧЕСКИХ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ СТЕРЛЯДИ ЗИМОВАЛЬНЫХ ЯМ НИЖНЕГО ИРТЫША

The article describes the results of morphometric studies of sterlet caught in water areas of two riverbed depressions of the Lower Irtysh (the Tyumen region) The studies were carried out in the period from 2015-2018, the riverbed depressions were remote from each other: Gornoslinkinskaya (the Uvat region), Kondinskaya (the Khanty-Mansiysk region). The geographic distance (the distance between the riverbed depressions is 445 km) and short migration length (about 200 km) prompted the assumption about the probability of significant discrepancies in the signs that suggest the allocation of any subgroups of sterlet. In the catches of sterlet in the Kondinskaya riverbed depression there were 93 specimens aged 1-4 years old. In the water area of the Gornoslinkinskaya riverbed depression 128 specimens were caught at the age of 1-7 years old. The comparison of sterlet groups from remote riverbed depressions was conducted using meristic signs: the number of bone plates (scutes) rays in the fins, the number of stamens on the first gill arch. According to the research results, it has been stated that there are no significant differences in the number of dorsal, lateral and ventral bone plates. Also, no differences were found in the number of stamens on the first gill arch. The greatest differences in the studied groups of sterlet were recorded in terms of the number of rays in the dorsal and anal fins. Additionally, the meristic features have been estimated by Mayr coefficient (1971), the value of which is equal to or greater than 1.28, which suggests the subspecific division. In our study, Mayr coefficient in all cases was less than 1.28, its maximum value (0.38) was established in studying the number of stamens on the 1-st gill arch. As for the remaining signs, this value is even smaller. Thus, geographical distance (over 400 km) of sterlet groups from the 2 riverbed depressions of the Lower Irtysh should not be taken as a reason to single out any subgroup.

ВИХРЕВЫЕ СТРУКТУРЫ (ВОДОВОРОТЫ) В АКВАТОРИИ РУСЛОВОЙ ЯМЫ И РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ РЫБ

The article highlights the studies carried out in summer using the hydroacoustic method from the small boat with control fishing in the lower reaches of the Irtysh in the Gornoslinkinskaya riverbed depression. The method of research is based on using computerized hydroacoustic software and hardware complex “PanCor” (Promgidroakustika, LLC). Hydroacoustic records were processed in the laboratory. The features of fish distribution in a turbulent flow of the riverbed depression at the river bend have been recorded. Significant accumulations of fish in the areas of vertical vortex structures - eddies have been registered. Eddies are registered both visually and hydroacoustically. The recorded vortex structures are formed as a result of the hydrological features of the channel of the river studied section. There has been established a significant ( p < 0.05) high direct correlation (> 0.70) between the number of fish species from all taxonomic groups (Cyprinidae, Percidae, Coregonidae, Esocidae, Lotidae, Acipenseridae) and the height of the water column in vortex structures. The number of fish in the vortex zones reliably exceeds that number outside these zones; for Cyprinidae by 2.61times, Percidae - 1.47, Coregonidae-Esocidae - 2.80, Acipenseridae-Lotidae - 2.50. It has been stated that in the zone of eddies the percentage of small individuals and medium size fish (<20 cm) exceed the percentage outside the vortex structures. For larger fish groups (> 20 cm), on the contrary, the percentage is larger outside the vortex zones. The accumulation of fish in the whirlpool part of the riverbed depression occurs in the result of choosing the necessary habitat conditions that have a predictability component, as well as due to temporary drawing and holding the fish in the vortex zone.

РЫБНОЕ НАСЕЛЕНИЕ ГОРНОСЛИНКИНСКОЙ РУСЛОВОЙ ЯМЫ НИЖНЕГО ИРТЫША В ЗИМНИЙ ПЕРИОД

Fish distribution was studied using sonar computerized complex in the deep part of the water column of Gornoslinkinskaya riverbed depression in winter. In the horizontal aspect there was estimated the number of fish registrations, in the vertical aspect the fish density was analyzed in three conditional horizons of the water column: surface, pelagic, bottom. Additionally, the bathymetric characteristics of the riverbed depression in the fish registration areas were evaluated. In the study period the depths were lower than 40 m. On the trajectory of the planned research route there were drilled holes in ice with a motor-drill (screw D=200 mm). Hydroacoustic survey was performed for each drilled hole. To control the species composition control fishing was carried out by gillnets. The hydroacoustic survey files were further processed in the laboratory using AsCor and Taxonomy applications for carrying out dimensional-taxonomic identification of fish. It has been established that fish inhabits the water area of the riverbed depression non-uniformly, both horizontally and vertically. The density of fish in the horizons of the investigated water area is distributed in descending order: pelagic - 105 sp./ha, bottom - 61 sp./ha, surface - 18 sp./ha. The features of the taxonomic distribution of fish are the following: in the surface horizon there are not found percid species and non-identified fish, their shares are decreasing from the bottom to pelagic horizons. The groups of cyprinids and whitefish-pike fish are registered throughout the water column of the riverbed depression: their shares increase from the bottom to the surface. The uneven distribution of different taxonomic fish groups in the investigated water area can be explained by the ecological features of different species in winter, as well as their trophic-defensive behavior.

РАЗМЕРНО-ТАКСОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ СТРУКТУРА РЫБНОГО НАСЕЛЕНИЯ КОНДИНСКОЙ РУСЛОВОЙ ЯМЫ

On the basis of modern hydroacoustic techniques the article presents features of the dimensional-taxonomic structure and vertical distribution of fish in the water area of one of the largest riverbed depressions in the lower reaches of the Irtysh river - Kondinskaya (Khanty-Mansiysky district, Tyumen region, Russia). There have been analyzed the conditioned water column horizons: from the surface to the bottom < 10 m, 10-20 m, 20-30 m, > 30 m. Maximum depth of the riverbed in the studied period exceeded 43 m. Research work was done by software-hardware sonar system AsCor. To perform hydroacoustic survey from the small boat in the investigated water area there were made displacements on a grid of transects (in zigzags). Recorded information of the hydroacoustic survey was processed in the laboratory using special software programs AsCor and Taxonomy which enable remote dimensional-taxonomic identification of fish with calculation of their density and number. It has been established that in each subsequent depth horizon the proportion of planktivorous fish (Cyprinidae) decreased in direction from the surface to the bottom; the proportion of predatory fishes (Percidae, Coregonidae, Esocidae), and a group of unidentified fishes (Acipenseridae, Lotidae), on the contrary, increased. The features of vertical distribution and taxonomic structure in the water column of the riverbed depression is an element of the survival strategy, primarily for juveniles of planktivorous species. More than 90% of fish from the total recorded population are concentrated at depths up to 20 m. In the research period among the fish population of the riverbed depression cyprinids dominated, in the size groups there prevailed individuals with body lengths up to 15 cm.

РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ РЫБ В СИСТЕМЕ ХИЩНИК-ЖЕРТВА В АКВАТОРИИ РУСЛОВОЙ ЯМЫ НИЖНЕГО ИРТЫША

The article presents are features of the horizontal and vertical distribution of fish in the water area of the Kondinskaya riverbed depression in the lower reaches of the Irtysh River (Tyumen region, Russia). There have been considered horizons of the water column from the surface to the bottom: surface-pelagic horizon (< 10 m), 1st pelagic horizon (10-20 m), 2nd pelagic horizon (20-30 m), and bottom-pelagic horizon (> 30 m). Hydroacoustic survey was conducted using a software and hardware complex "AsCor" on board a small ship that moved in tacks (zigzags). The recorded information, including the GPS track, processed with special application software "AsCor". Taxonomic belonging to the families was determined remotely - by the type of the reflected sound. According to the data of echometric sensing, main part of fish population on the studied water area was presented by carp species (Cyprinidae) - 66.81%, perch species (Percidae) - 23.77%, cisco species (Coregonidae) - 5.60%, unrecognized species (sturgeon (Acipenseridae)), eelpout species (Lotidae), pike species (Esocidae)) - 3.82% of the registered plurality of fish. All fish groups of the registered mass in terms of abundance have been distributed predominantly in the surface and 1-st pelagic horizons of the water column of the riverbed depression. The difference in the distribution of registered taxonomic fish groups in the vertical aspect from the surface to the bottom is different: in planktivorous fishes more than 190 times, in predatory fishes from 10 to 27 times. A more even distribution of predatory species reduces their aggressive interaction - interspecific and intraspecific competition. There has been revealed a tendency to decrease the percentage of planktivorous species (Cyprinidae) in each succeeding horizon in direction from the surface to the bottom; for Percidae and Coregonidae species and a group of unrecognized fishes it was established, vice versa, in the direction from the bottom to the surface. Due to the wedge-shaped decrease of the living space in the riverbed, the general tendency of a decrease in the number of fish has been registered in the direction of deeper horizons. There has been noted the statistical reliability of differences in the vertical distribution for all registered fish groups. The features of the fish distribution in the predator-prey system on the Irtysh river section with heterogeneous conditions of the aquatic environment (intensive ascending currents and funnels, significant depth changes) characterize it as a "window of antipredation".

Distribution of fish in the river system of the Lower Irtysh

We report the results of investigation of fish distribution in water bodies of different types (open floodplain complex, closed lake, floodplain channels, and a riverbed depression) of the river system of the Lower Irtysh obtained by application of differently aimed hydroacoustic complexes and by traditional ichthyological methods. Distribution, composition, and abundance of fish aggregations and their diurnal movements are determined in different water areas. Periodicity, range, and direction of fish migrations, rhythm of downstream migrations of juveniles under various conditions are recorded. Distribution of fish is considered as a continual process controlling the biological integrity of the river system. Significant presence of nomadity (various migrations and local movements) is demonstrated in fish, reflecting multilevel lability of the environment in the floodplain-channel system of the Lower Irtysh. A set of notions is suggested defining application limits of principal terms characterizing fish movements of various scales: migrations, wanderings, and short-term movements.

Hydroacoustic investigation of taxonomic composition and of vertical distribution of fish in the riverbed depression

An original method of taxonomic identification of fish (at the family level) by means of hydroacoustic equipment is elaborated. The method is based on analysis of the form of instantaneous envelope of amplitudes of the acoustic signal reflected from fish. Analysis of distribution of mass fish of different size over horizons of the water column is made on the deep-water riverbed depression of the Irtysh and characteristics of their diurnal vertical migration are revealed.

Biological significance of the Gornoslinkinskaya Riverbed Depression in the Irtysh

Distribution of fish in the Gornoslinkinskaya Riverbed Depression in the Irtysh is considered in relation to the time of day and to the season. Fish aggregations are characterized quantitatively and by their size and species composition. The major part of the fish population of the depression consists of fish juveniles. The biological significance of the riverbed depression is polyfunctional. The universal traits of the ecosystems of large river basins and mechanisms of their occupation by fish are discussed.