Salt Lake as a natural monument terrestrial and aquatic biological diversity

Abstract

The article provides data on biological diversity of plants, animals, and fungi inhabiting Salt Lake Natural Monument and its surroundings (Tyumen Oblast, Russia). The authors used route and sample plot census methods. The natural monument area is situated within the forest steppe ecotone of the West Siberian Plain. Thus species typical for the adjoining boreal and steppe zones are also registered in the biological communities under study. Aquatic ecosystems of the area include two instances opposed from the species diversity and abundance point of view: the poor one of mineralized Salt Lake and the rich one of fresh water Dolgoye Lake. The total of 166 vascular plant species, 110 vertebrate and 95 invertebrate species, as well as 60 fungi species were registered on the territory. Among these, two plant and eight animal species are listed in different Red Data Books. Recreational use of the territory makes the composition and structure of flora and fauna complexes unique, as the species intolerant to anthropogenic load are depressed, and synanthropes are implanted in the assemblages. Biological diversity transformation accelerates due to an increase of the investigated territory aridity.