Assessment of the Influence of Major Limiting Factors on the Growth of the Population of Vimba Bream (Vimba vimba vimba) (Cyprinidae), a Species Intentionally Introduced into the Volgograd Reservoir

Abstract

An attempt was made to assess the influence of major limiting factors on changes in the vimba population number in the Volgograd Reservoir. According to one hypothesis based on the accessibility of vimba spawning grounds, its population number in the reservoir is already close to the limit. According to another hypothesis considering limitations on the vimba population by food resources, an approximately 15-fold increase in the population number over at least two decades is possible. The above-mentioned hypotheses on the factors limiting increase in the vimba population number in the reservoir, provide different forecasts on the ultimate population number and time necessary for its achievement. The only possible way to verify these hypotheses is to carry out further research.