Retrospective analysis of ichthyofauna of the Desnyansko-Starogutskyi national natural park

Abstract

Purpose. Elucidation of qualitative and quantitative parameters of ichthyofauna of the Desnyansko-Starogutskyi NNP with the brief analysis of main changes in the structure and distribution of fishes. Methodology. Data collected during field surveys on water bodies of the Desnyansko-Starogutskyi NNP in 2019 and 2024 were used as primary materials. Collection and processing of data were carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods. The survey was conducted at 11 stations; 3873 individuals of 27 fish species were processed. The Sørensen/Chekanovsky index was used for comparing own data from different stations and published literary sources. Findings. The qualitative composition of the Park’s water bodies included 27 fish species. Among of them, the one - round goby - a neolimnetic species that is actively expanding its areal. Data on the distribution of the Dnipro chub in the studied water bodies have been published for the first time. The background species in the Park are bitterling, roach, tench, spined loach, perch and pike. They are present in all types of biotopes, including water bodies of the additional system. A number of species such as crucian and Prussian carps, asp, ide, dace, Northern golden loach, stone loach, wels catfish, burbot, ruffe and both goby species (monkey and round) were represented by single specimens and can be considered as rare. A comparison of fish ecological groups from two main types of habitats: 2.27 Mesotrophic vegetation of fast watercourses and 2.33 Mesotrophic vegetation of slow-flowing watercourses showed that phytophiles predominate, the share of which (by species composition) reached 36%. As well as the combined totality of bentho-pelagic and pelagic species. The others 28% are bottom species. Among 27 identified species, 4 are included to the Red Book of Ukraine: crucian carp, ide, dace and burbot. All four species on the territory of the Park are rare and are found as single individuals in a limited number of biotopes. Another 5 species are listed in Resolution 6 of the Berne Convention: asp, bitterling, spined loach, northern golden loach and weatherfish. Invasive species are represented by two - Prussian carp and Chinese sleeper. Own and literature data comparison using Sorensen-Chekanovsky indices showed similarity mostly at the level of 47% and above, which indicates the stability of the qualitative and quantitative composition of ichthyofauna even with operator error and slightly different approaches to the methods of collecting materials. Originality. Original data on the current qualitative and quantitative composition of ichthyofauna of water boldies of the Desniansko-Starogutskyi NNP and its spatiotemporal changes were obtained. A new fish species was discovered for the Park. Practical Value. Nature protection component of the Park has been updated in context of the preservation of the Desna River basin ichthyofauna. In particular, both in the context of the protection of rare and endangered species, and in the context of the protection of their habitats.

Keywords

• nature protection areas
• ichthyofauna
• habitat directive
• desna river