Typification of floodplain spawning grounds of the middle Ural River and the assessment of their flooding conditions

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Abstract

Changes in the hydrological regime of the Ural River basin, associated with flow regulation and regional climate features, leads to the deterioration of many floodplain water bodies. Many oxbow depressions and lakes, which are habitats and spawning grounds for local fish species, lose their hydraulic connection with the main river channel, dry up and become overgrown with aquatic vegetation. The flooding duration for spawning grounds of various types largely determine the abundance and diversity of the local ichthyofauna in the floodplane lakes. Low spring floods in the period 2008–2023 became the main factor in the functional changes of floodplain water bodies, in which the frequency and duration of their connection with the main river channel decreased. Based on the data of ichthyological and hydrological field campaigns of 2022–2023, carried out in the valley of the middle reaches of the Ural River, including the lower section of the Sakmara River, the spawning grounds were classified based on their morphology and flooding conditions. The examination of the species and quantitative composition of fish in thirty floodplain water bodies made it possible to assess the influence of the frequency of their connection with the main river channel during spring floods on the total number of individuals and the species composition of fish. These indicators can be taken into account when planning hydraulic engineering measures for the aquatic environment rehabilitation.

About the authors

S. V. Yakovlev

Institute of Water Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Moscow, 119333 Russia

V. O. Polyanin

Institute of Water Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Moscow, 119333 Russia

A. M. Alabyan

Institute of Water Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography

Email: andrei_alabyan@mail.ru
Moscow, 119333 Russia; Moscow, 119991 Russia

V. S. Boldyrev

Volgograd branch of VNIRO

Volgograd, 400001 Russia

G. S. Ermakova

Institute of Water Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Zubov State Oceanographic Institute

Moscow, 119333 Russia; Moscow, 119034 Russia

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