State of lake ecosystems in Onon-Torei plain in 1983–2011 (Eastern Transbaikalia)

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

2022

Barun-Torey and Zun-Torey lakes are located in the arid steppe zone of the Central (Inner) Asia, Eastern Siberia, Russia. The Torey lakes are characterizes unstable hydrological regime. The water level variation is explained by the periodic filling and drying of the lakes due to cyclical climatic changes in humidity and temperature. We conducted our studies various water level phases of the climatic cycle: from high water level (1999, 2003) to drying out and the initial filling phase (2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020). The aim of this paper is to present long-term research results on changes in the plankton biocenoses of the Torey lakes during a climate cycle, the drying and initial filling of basins. Succession of plankton dominant species is in the direction of: diatoms+green algae and rotifers+crustaceans → green algae and crustaceans → green algae+cyanobacteria and crustaceans → no planktonic algae and invertebrates → cyanobacteria+diatoms+green algae and rotifers+cladocerans+copepods.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of plankton biocenoses under water level fluctuations in steppe lakes

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

2022

“…To characterise long‐term changes in water chemistry and temperature, we used previously published data (Afonina & Tashlykova, 2021; Bazarova et al, 2019; Borzenko, 2018; Kuklin et al, 2013; Tsibekmitova & Matveeva, 2019; Tsybekmitova & Belozertseva, 2014; Zamana, 2009; Zamana & Borzenko, 2010). For a conceptual presentation of changes in biota in Torey lakes, data on nutrients, aquatic plants, ichthyofauna, and waterbirds from previous studies (Bazarova et al, 2019; Kirilyuk et al, 2009; Kuklin et al, 2013; Tsibekmitova & Matveeva, 2019) were used.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytoplankton and zooplankton succession during the dry–refilling cycle: A case study in large, fluctuating soda lakes

2023

Freshwater Biology

Aquatic ecosystems in arid regions are important habitats for aquatic wildlife and also support species biodiversity. Soda lakes in endorheic drainage basins, so‐called amplifier lakes, are sentinels of climate change and are of scientific significance. Here we present the results of a long‐term study (20 years) of the Torey lakes, Transbaikalia, Russia, including the period from the maximum capacity of the Torey lakes through to aridification, and then to the initial phase of refilling. Our aim was to determine the response of planktonic communities in the lakes to environmental change over this period. We conducted our studies during various parts of the hydrological cycle, including three phases for Lake Zun‐Torey (high [1999, 2003], intermediate [2007, 2011] and low [2014, 2016] water levels) and two phases for Lake Barun‐Torey (high level [1999, 2003] and the initial refilling phase [2014, 2016, 2018, 2020]). Lake Barun‐Torey dried up completely in summer 2009, and since 2013 has been undergoing initial refilling. Lake Zun‐Torey dried up in the autumn of 2017. Temporal variation in planktonic communities differs for each lake. We identified four stages of changes in the planktonic associations during the aridification of Lake Zun‐Torey (the phytoplankton experienced a decrease in abundance and biomass, and was dominated by green algae and diatoms; the zooplankton underwent a decrease in species diversity and an increase in total abundance and biomass, which were caused by an increase in the abundance of some crustacean species) and three stages of changes as the lake level fell and during the initial refilling of Lake Barun‐Torey (the plankton communities increased in species richness and abundance in the transient pools). These results show the complexity of long‐term community dynamics in arid‐zone soda lakes. They have revealed how phytoplankton and zooplankton community diversity and structure can vary with changing environmental conditions and may pass between distinct states related to the stages of the hydroperiod.

“…Frish (1972) stated almost 50 years ago «In a few years, one can observe phenomena, the development of which in other places is known to exceed the human life span». There-Therefore, in the current context of the climate emergency, this area represents a testing ground for observing climatic changes and how various communities (terrestrial and aquatic) respond and adapt to these changes (Kuklin et al, 2013). A careful study of the nature of the Torey lakes (the standard for a variety of landscape transformations) may suggest how people can interact appropriately with the landscape in other regions (Frish, 1972).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Torey lakes, Daursky State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Russia: long-term changes in environmental parameters

Nature Conservation Research

2021

This work presents a case study for the lakes Barun-Torey and Zun-Torey, which have been subject to major changes in water level. Both lakes are located in the territory of the Daursky State Nature Biosphere Reserve (arid steppe zone of the Palaearctic region, SouthEast Transbaikalia, Russia), in the border area with Mongolia. The Torey lakes are large and shallow. A unique feature of the Torey lakes is their unstable hydrological regime. The water level variation is explained by the periodic filling and drying of the lakes due to cyclical climatic changes in humidity and temperature. A brief overview of some hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics of the lakes, using references and unpublished (own) data, is provided. The lakes have been studied for a number of years, which have been provisionally divided into some periods.