Valaam Island Research Articles

The similarity assessment of the macrophyte species composition between modern aquatic vegetation and subrecent pollen spectra of small lakes on the Valaam Island (Lake Ladoga)

The similarity assessment of the macrophyte species composition between modern aquatic vegetation and subrecent pollen spectra of small lakes on the Valaam Island (Lake Ladoga)

LAKE VITALIEVSKOYE (VALAAM ISLAND) ISOLATION PROCESS AND VEGETATION DYNAMICS DUE TO CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF THE LAKE LADOGA DURING THE LATE HOLOCENE<a href="#FN1"><sup>1</sup></a>

The macrophyte pollen is a valuable source of information about lake level changes. Continuing our previous studies on the use of the macrophytes pollen analysis in the paleolimnology we studied the Lake Vitalievskoye sediments sequence of on the Valaam Island (the northern part of Lake Ladoga). To confirm the results of pollen analysis we conducted lithological and diatom analyzes. The macrophytes distribution of the island lakes at the present time has been established with the help of geobotanical and pollen analyzes of the lacustrine surface sediments. As a result, a comprehensive study made it possible to establish the stages of the Lake Vitalievskoye development during the Late Holocene: The Lake Ladoga Bay stage with a slight overgrowth of aquatic vegetation; the lake isolation stage of the from Lake Ladoga, when macrophytes disappeared from the lake, and the lake independent development stage, when their maximum distribution occurred and later began to decline as a result of the human impact. According to our research of the Valaam Island lakes we have received new data about the modern distribution of macrophytes in the island lakes, their dynamics in the Late Holocene. We also conducted a methodological study establishing the macrophytes pollen role in studying the small island lakes history and the Lake Ladoga level.

Macrophytes As Indicators Of The Ecological Status Of Valaam Island Small Lakes System

The article evaluates the ecological status of five small lakes on Valaam Island (Igumenskoe, Chernoe, Ossievo, Nikonovskoe, Krestovoe) using macrophytes as bioindicators. The methods proposed by Finland, Sweden, and Norway were used, to assess the state of eutrophication, the change in the composition of specific species, the change in the water level, and the state of acidification, according to different indexes (Reference index (RI), Trophic Macrophyte Index (TMI), Trophic Index (TIc), the Proportion of Type– Specific Taxa (PTST), the Percent Model Affinity (PMA), Water level Index (WIc), and Acidification Index (SIc)). An analysis of the floristic composition for the period 2011 – 2020 was realized, including taxonomic analysis, ecogroup, and macrophyte diversity. The dominant taxon was Elodea canadensis Michx. in Igumenskoe, Chernoe, Ossievo lakes and Calla palustris L. in Nikonovskoe and Krestovoe lakes. The ecogroup hygrohelophyte was the most diverse in all lakes studied. The ecological status of the lakes according to each assessed parameter reflects that all lakes are characterized by a mesotrophic to eutrophic state, there is a variation in species composition of macrophyte and no water level change or acidification processes are presumed to occur in any of the lakes. In general, each method has its limitations, but it is suggested to continue studies for the RI, TMI, PTST, and PMA indices, and to integrate them with other national physicochemical or biological indices.

Distribution of the Mass Species of Benthic Crustacean on Nearshore Slope the Ladoga Lake

The species list and distribution of crustacean of a nearshore zone of the Valaam Island (Ladoga Lake) have been investigated by sampler-syringe, dredge and video records. On the depth 1–25 m the five species of crustacean: Asellus aquaticus (Linnaeus, 1758), Monoporeia affinis (Lindström, 1855), Pallaseopsis quadrispinosa (G.O. Sars, 1867), Gmelinoides fasciatus (Stebbing, 1899), Mysis relicta Lovén, 1862 were described. For the first time the vertical distribution of naturalized Baikal amphipods G. fasciatus were inventoried and their features of joint residence with local species were characterized. The distribution of the alien species reliably connected with wave intensity, types of grounds and depth range. The most numerous local species P. quadrispinosa distribution affects by depth range. The types of grounds do not influence on the quantity of all indigenous crustacean in the nearshore zone. In all condition the local species successfully compete with G. fasciatus. All these species inhabit of littoral have higher resistance for wave action as compared with non-indigenous species. It guarantees existence of refuges which can safe diversity of the indigenous species. The obtained data on the spatial distribution of crustaceans make possible to characterize the benthic communities of the little-studied parts of the littoral and sublittoral and, as a result, the food base of bentophagous fishes.

APPROACHES TO ASSESSING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF LAKE LADOGA

The threat of Lake Ladoga ecosystem degradation under multifactorial anthropogenic impact requires that, along with legal and administrative methods, economic approaches to resource regulation are used. In this connection, the article substantiates the prospects of applying the concept of ecosystem services, which has the aim of ecosystem resource valuation for subsequent introduction of a system of compensation payments and adequate decision-making. The state of natural resources of Lake Ladoga is considered as the footing for the formation of ecosystem services. Productivity, environment-shaping, informational, mental-aesthetic and recreational services that require economic valuation were identified. Indicators of a degradation of the quality of environment-forming and productivity services were determined. The potential volumes of ecosystem services/ benefits of Lake Ladoga (1.6 trillion rubles), the value of its water (690 billion rubles) and ecosystem services of the lands in protected areas of the Ladoga region (37.9 billion rubles) were estimated. The total value of recreational and information services and the refugium function of Ladoga region’s protected areas is 55.2 million rubles per year. The total value of some utilized components of Lake Ladoga ecosystem services is 4166.7 million rubles per year, including drinking water, aquaculture, tourism (Valaam Island) and transport services. The largest beneficiary of the environment-shaping service of Lake Ladoga is the Volga-Baltic transport route, but its operation entails a deterioration of the water quality in the southern part of the lake. Identification of the beneficiaries of this transit transport service and the development of compensation payment schemes is one of the mechanisms for finding alternative sources of funding for environmental projects to maintain a sustainable state of the Lake Ladoga ecosystem.

The dynamics of macrophytes in Lake Vitalievskoye (Valaam Island, Russia) after level changes of Lake Ladoga during the Late Holocene

Abstract. Aquatic vegetation is a sensitive indicator of lake structural rearrangements, water level changes, overgrowth and waterlogging processes. Although macrophyte pollen may not be well preserved in lake sediments, it is a valuable source of information about an evolution of lakes. Continuing our previous researches on the use of macrophyte pollen analysis in paleolimnological studies, we have explored the sediments sequence of Lake Vitalievskoye on the Valaam Island (northern part of Lake Ladoga), that was isolated at the Ladoga regression for the Late Holocene. We have used pollen analysis of the sediments sequence with focus on the dynamics of aquatic vegetation. Based on our results, the macrophyte dynamics at every stage of the Lake Vitalievskoye development and relationship with the Lake Ladoga level changes in the Late Holocene were reconstructed.

VIR collecting missions in 2020

The article presents a brief overview of expeditionary surveys of the territory of Russia by VIR scientists in 2020 within the framework of the State Assignment for the research project No. 0481-2020-0001 “Ensuring the preservation and replenishment of the collection of plant genetic resources”. In 2020, with the support from budgetary and non-budgetary sources, VIR scientists participated in 8 collecting missions to various regions of Russia (Krasnodar Territory, Adygea, Karelia, including Valaam Island, Murmansk and Arkhangelsk provinces, the Solovetsky Islands, Yakutia, and Khabarovsk Territory). The seeds, cuttings, live plants, and herbarium specimens collected in 2020 for replenishing the VIR collection totaled 580 samples.

Результаты первичной обработки данных инфразвуковой группы на острове Валаам

The infrasound array VALS developed in Kola Branch GS RAS has been installed in June 2016 on the Valaam Island in addition to the continuously operating seismic station VALR. The array consists of 3 spaced low-frequency microphones. The data with a sampling rate of 100 Hz is stored continuously at the acquisition computer; the timing is carried out using GPS. In addition to the acquisition system, an infrasound signal detector is installed on the computer. It works in near real-time mode and enables us to find signals and compute their back azimuths. At the end of 2018, a new version of the detector was developed at the Kola Branch GS RAS. The detector began to work much faster, which enabled us to carry out data processing for 2.5 years in two frequency ranges in a short time. The main task of the array is acoustic monitoring, the detection of infrasound events, the determination of their parameters, and the selection of events of natural origin. The data are also used (in combination with the VALR seismic station data) to locate near seismic events, especially weak ones. The analysis of the obtained data revealed the prevailing directions to the signal sources. The change of directions to sources in time was investigated, seasonal features were revealed. Acoustic events were detected in the frequency bands 1–5 Hz and 10–20 Hz, and a significant difference was found in the azimuthal distribution of events for these ranges. A joint analysis of acoustic and seismic data showed that the part of events with both acoustic and seismic components is low – it is almost completely exhausted by career explosions. It was also noted that in addition to explosions in nearby quarries (Kuznechnoye, Pitkäranta) located at a distance of 50–60 km, according to acoustic data, events corresponding to explosions at quarries located at a distance of 100 km or more were repeatedly identified.

APHYLLOPHOROID FUNGI (BASIDIOMYCOTA) ON ISLANDS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF LAKE LADOGA (REPUBLIC OF KARELIA)

On islands in the northern part of Lake Ladoga, within the Republic of Karelia, 234 species of aphyllophoroid fungi have been recorded, including 4 species ( Athelia alnicola, A. salicum, Botryobasidium pruinatum, Hypochnicium lundellii ) new for the Republic. Data are provided on the distribution of 22 species new for Karelia ladogensis province, including Punctularia strigosozonata , red-listed in the Republic of Karelia (2007). Specimens of all the new records are kept in the mycological herbaria of the Karelian Research Centre (PTZ) and Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE). 198 species were found in the Nature Park Valaamsky Archipelago, 97 - in the Nature Reserve Zapadny Archipelago, and 43 -in the National Park Ladoga Skerries. A majority of aphyllophoroid fungi on islands in the northern part of Lake Ladoga were found on deciduous trees (109 species), 84 species were recorded on coniferous trees. Most of the species were collected from the main stand-forming species: 68 species from pine, 56 - from aspen, 51 - from spruce, and 47 - from birch. Fewer species were found on alder (25 species), willow (19), rowan (16), juniper (11), bird cherry (4), and on introduced tree species (larch, Siberian pine, maple, oak) on Valaam Island. Locations of 12 species protected in the Republic of Karelia (2007), and 3 species protected in the Russian Federation (2008), as well as of 19 indicator species of old-growth forests and 6 indicator species of pristine forests were found on the islands. The species richness of aphyllophoroid fungi on each island is depends on the typological composition and age of forests, presence of deadwood in different stages of decay, forest cover (rockiness), and anthropogenic disturbance, while the island size is not significant.

Morphometric Features of the Submarine Slope of the Southwestern Part of Valaam Island

A digital bathymetric model with a 10 × 10 m spatial resolution was created on the basis of the depth sounding on the southwestern slope of Valaam Island with the use of an echo sounder combined with a side-scanning sonar and satellite navigation system. Bottom slopes with 60-degree value, where there are rock structures barely overlapped by recent bottom deposits, were registered. Large boulders and slide rocks, which can cause underwater noise in sliding down along steep slopes, were revealed.

Study of acoustic noise on Valaam Island

A long-term endogenous nanomicroseismic event was registered instrumentally for the first time on Valaam Island (Lake Ladoga) in the winter of 2012. In the past, similar events in the form of acoustic emissions of separate phases have occurred from time to time and were heard by many residents and visitors to the island. This emission has long been known as barantida. The identification of the signal was based on a comprehensive analysis of the obtained seismograms and the subjective descriptions of this rare phenomenon by witnesses. It is proposed to continue instrumental observations in the mode of continuous high resolution seismoacoustic monitoring.

GENETIC DIVERSITY AND POPULATION STRUCTURE OF THE SPECIES ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA (L.) HEY NH. ON VALAAM ISLAND

The genetic diversity and population structure of Arabidopsis thaliana on Valaam Island was investigated. The purpose of the study was to detect the molecular genetic mechanisms and microevolutionary processes in insulate populations of A. thaliana on an island lying in the northern periphery of the species range. The variability at 95 RAPD-loci was evaluated in A. thaliana from four localities on the island. A higher level of genetic diversity was revealed (average value P 99 % = 29.2 %; H exp =0.092) in comparison with other self-pollinators. The genetic variability of A. thaliana on Valaam was however lower than in previously investigated mainland populations of arabidopsis in Karelia. This fact is supposedly due to the island’s southerner location and milder climate, and may also depend on the low rate of gene migration from the mainland because of the species’ isolation on the island. The level of Nei’s genetic similarity of the studied groups of plants was high (average I N = 0.949). Nei’s gene diversity statistics showed that 39.0 % of the total gene diversity was explained by between-group variability ( G ST ), which is quite low for inbred species. The findings allow to suggest that the species A. thaliana on Valaam is one but segregated population where subpopulations are connected to one another by migratory interactions. This population structure counteracts inbreeding, which happens in isolated populations of limited size, and contributes to the preservation of genetic diversity, which is essential for adaptation and survival of populations.

Characteristics of soil nematode communities under conditions of woody plant introduction

Nematode communities in the rooted soil layer under the crowns of introduced tree species on Valaam Island (Republic of Karelia) have been studied by conventional nematological methods to evaluate their taxonomic diversity, population density, and eco-trophic structure. On the whole, 49 nematode genera have been recorded, with their total abundance varying from 1209 to 2548 ind./100 g soil. The abundance and proportion of plant parasites in the soil nematode assemblage have proved to be higher under introduced trees, compared to natural forest biocenoses.

Planctomicrobium piriforme gen. nov., sp. nov., a stalked planctomycete from a littoral wetland of a boreal lake

An aerobic, budding, non-pigmented and rosette-forming bacterium was isolated from a littoral wetland of a boreal lake located in Valaam Island, northern Russia, and designated strain P3(T). Ellipsoidal to pear-shaped cells of this bacterium were covered with crateriform pits and possessed stalks suggesting a planctomycete morphotype. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed that strain P3(T) was a member of the order Planctomycetales and belonged to a phylogenetic lineage defined by the genus Planctomyces , with 89 and 86% sequence similarity to Planctomyces brasiliensis and Planctomyces maris , respectively. Strain P3(T) was a mildly acidophilic, mesophilic organism capable of growth at pH values between pH 4.2 and 7.1 (with an optimum at pH 6.0-6.5) and at temperatures between 10 and 30 °C (optimum at 20-28 °C). Most sugars, a number of polysaccharides and several organic acids were the preferred growth substrates. Compared with Planctomyces brasiliensis and Planctomyces maris , which require NaCl for growth, strain P3(T) was salt-sensitive and did not develop at NaCl concentrations above 0.5% (w/v). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω7c; the cells also contained significant amounts of C18 : 1ω7c and C18 : 0. The major intact polar lipids were diacylglycerol-O-(N,N,N-trimethyl)homoserine (DGTS) lipids; the major neutral lipids were long-chain 1,(ω-1)-diols and C31 : 9 hydrocarbon. The quinone was MK-6, and the G+C content of the DNA was 59.0 mol%. Strain P3(T) differed from Planctomyces brasiliensis and Planctomyces maris by cell morphology, substrate utilization pattern and a number of physiological characteristics. Based on these data, the novel isolate should be considered as representing a novel genus and species of planctomycetes, for which the name Planctomicrobium piriforme gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is P3(T) ( =DSM 26348(T) =VKM B-2887(T)).

Sphagnum mosses of Lake Germanovskoe catchment area («Valaam Archipelago» Natural Park)

The list of sphagnum mosses of the swamped part of Lake Germanovskoe catchment area («Valaam Archipelago» Natural Park) is provided for the first time. The Valaam Archipelago is located in the northern part of Lake Ladoga, in Republic of Karelia. The largest Valaam Island takes over 2/3 of the archipelago area — 27.8 km2. The ecological characteristics of sphagnum mosses are discussed. A detailed investigation of ecotopes and plant communities dominated by sphagnum mosses was conducted. The study of tree stands, herb and moss layers, soils and analysis of Lake Germanovskoe hydro-chemical characteristics were carried out to define the conditions of Sphagnum habitats. Different sphagnum mosses dominate in ecotopes with various regime of moisture. The swamped part of Lake Germanovskoe catchment area is determined as having mesotrophic characteristics. Аnalysis of the ecological characteristics of sphagnum mosses shows the same result.

Paludibaculum fermentans gen. nov., sp. nov., a facultative anaerobe capable of dissimilatory iron reduction from subdivision 3 of the Acidobacteria.

A facultatively anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-spore-forming bacterium was isolated from a littoral wetland of a boreal lake located on Valaam Island, northern Russia, and designated strain P105(T). Cells of this isolate were Gram-negative, non-motile rods coated by S-layers with p2 lattice symmetry. Sugars were the preferred growth substrates. Under anoxic conditions, strain P105(T) was capable of fermentation and dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction. End products of fermentation were acetate, propionate and H2. Strain P105(T) was a mildly acidophilic, mesophilic organism, capable of growth at pH 4.0-7.2 (optimum pH 5.5-6.0) and at 4-35 °C (optimum at 20-28 °C). The major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0) and C(16 : 1)ω7c; the cells also contained significant amounts of 13,16-dimethyl octacosanedioic acid (isodiabolic acid). The major polar lipids were phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine; the quinone was MK-8. The G+C content of the DNA was 60.5 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain P105(T) belongs to subdivision 3 of the Acidobacteria and is only distantly related (90% sequence similarity) to the only currently characterized member of this subdivision, Bryobacter aggregatus. The novel isolate differs from Bryobacter aggregatus in its cell morphology and ability to grow under anoxic conditions and in the presence of iron- and nitrate-reducing capabilities as well as quinone and polar lipid compositions. These differences suggest that strain P105(T) represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Paludibaculum fermentans gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Paludibaculum fermentans is P105(T) ( = DSM 26340(T) = VKM B-2878(T)).

Paleomagnetic and rock magnetic study of the Mesoproterozoic sill, Valaam island, Russian Karelia

A paleomagnetic study of the Mesoproterozoic Valaam monzodioritic sill (U-Pb age ∼1458 Ma) was undertaken in an attempt to provide a new well dated paleomagnetic pole for Baltica and to test the proposed joint drift history of Baltica and Laurentia from 1.83 to ca. 1.26 Ga. Two components of natural remanent magnetization (NRM) were isolated in the sill with alternating field and thermal treatments. The first component is a low coercivity component of viscous origin with a direction similar to that of the Earth's present field at the sampling site. The second one (component A) with a high unblocking temperature/coercivity has a remanent magnetization direction of D = 43.4°, I = −14.3°, α 95 = 3.3°, corresponding to a paleomagnetic pole of Plat. = 13.8°, Plong. = 166.4°, A 95 = 2.4°. Rock magnetic and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed that the main carrier of the magnetization A is medium sized primary titanomagnetite, with varying Ti-content. This component is interpreted to be of primary origin and it provides a new well dated (1458 +4/−3 Ma) pole for Baltica. This result supports the idea that Baltica and Laurentia drifted together during the interval from 1.76 to 1.26 Ga forming the core of the supercontinent Hudsonland (Columbia, Nuna).

Changes in aquatic plant communitieson the island of Valaam due to invasion by the muskrat Ondatra zibethicus L.(Rodentia, Mammalia)

Muskrat invaded Valaam Island (Northern part of European Russia) in the 1970s. Aquatic plant communities of 1962 and 1993 were compared on the same plots. Quantitative changes were tested with the help of jack-knifing estimates of most known inventory (α-) diversity indicators. Qualitative transformations were assessed using β-diversity values. The results demonstrated substantially more discriminant ability of diversity measures than classical methods of mathematical statistics. All of the α-diversity values declined synchronously without exception. Species composition also changed greatly and those species which turn out to be more resistant to muskrat grazing became the main dominant plants. The activity of Ondatra became the over-riding ecological factor connecting the littoral plant communities of the Valaam. It is concluded that the sustainability of this ecosystem was damaged by muskrat's invasion and that the role of muskrat should not be underestimated when studying the ecology of freshwater littoral communities.

The trematodes and cestodes of Sorex araneus L. in Valaam Island (Ladoga Lake, USSR). 1

The trematode and the cestode fauna was examined in 50 specimens of common shrews Sorex araneus L. (Insectivora: Soricidae) cillected in Valaam Island, URSS during 1988 and 1989. Two species of Trematoda and seven species of Cestoda were identified; prevalence of infection was as follows: Brachulaemus fulvus (86% ), Rubenstrema exasperatum (4% ), Hymenolepis scutigera (54% ), Neoskrjabinolepis schaldybini (26% ), Vigisolepis spinulosa (4% ), Choanotaenia crassiscolex (86% ), Choanotaenia hepatica (6% ), Dilepis undula (2% ) and Polycercus sp. (2% ).