Plankton community’s production in the water area of the Volga-Kama Biosphere Reserve (Russia)

Abstract

The quantitative and production characteristics of planktonic community were assessed in the water area of the Volga Carbon Polygon (Saraly, Volzhsko-Kamsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve during the growing season of 2023. The Saralinsky section of Volga-Kama Reserve was characterized by high values of algae biomass, chlorophyll-a concentration and, accordingly, primary production of 110.6 ± 36.7 mgC/m3 and characterized this area as hypereutrophic. Zooplankton production was 120.2±48.0 kcal/m3/day or 12.0±4.8 mgC/m3. The values of the P/B coefficient of the zooplankton community varied from 17 to 69, and are determined mainly by the production of small rotifers and cladocerans. These values indicate the eutrophic state of studied area.