Influence of biomanipulation on the living communities and the water quality in the Strezhevo hydroecosystem, R. Macedonia

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the biomanipulation on the living communities and water quality in the Strezhevo hydroecosystem, Republic of Macedonia in which a problem with increase of primary organic production has occurred. The biomanipulatory intervention in water bodies is used to prevent the development of macrophyte vegetation. It is achieved by direct influence on the increased development of phytoplanktonic production and macrophytes by gradual and controlled introduction of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The study was conducted in the period June-September 2012 in two earthen ponds (A and B), situated in Strezhevo Lake with 100 specimens of grass carp/pond with average individual mass of 4 kg and age of 3–5 years. The following were monitored: water – temperature (oC), pH, dissolved oxygen (O2 mg/l) and saturation (%); grass carp – length (mm), weight (kg), Fulton and Clark coefficients of fattening, consumption of added in ponds fresh vegetable mass (kg), consisting of Ceratophyllum demersum (hornwort) (95%) and Potamogeton pusillus (small pondweed) (5%). Based on the results obtained, the meliorative ability of this species with high density of the stock was evaluated as very favourable. At optimal temperature, oxygen regime and pH conditions of water, this herbivore fish species consumed the present macrophytic vegetation very intensively, and in the case of its absence, also the additional share of fresh herbal mass, showing certain selectivity towards particular water vegetation species. Thus, grass carp maintains an optimal composition of the macrophytic communities in the hydroecosystem.

Keywords

• grass carp
• water quality
• macrophytic vegetation
• phytoplankton