Restoration of the Chara aculeolate Kützing phytocenosis in the Tendrovsky Bay (Black Sea)

Abstract

For the Chara aculeolata Kützing phytocenosis in the Tendrovsky Bay of the Black Sea, long-term dynamics of growth areas and biomass of macrophytes was analyzed. Its partial degradation was observed since 1993. In 1993–2010, the area of the phytocenosis decreased from 100 to 6.3 km². In 2010–2021, elements of regenerative succession were registered. A gradual slow expansion of growth areas and an increase in algae biomass were noted over the 10-year monitoring, and a sudden significant recovery was recorded in 2021. According to the data of 2021, the C. aculeolata phytocenosis was distributed over an area of 36 km², and the biomass of the dominant species reached 1,800 g·m−2. Possible reasons for the observed changes are discussed.

Keywords

• Charophyta
• macrophytobenthos
• regenerative succession
• long-term dynamics
• recolonization