FEATURES OF THE SPECIES, SPATIAL AND TROPHIC STRUCTURE OF MACROBENTHOS IN THE LAGOON ECOSYSTEM OF THE NIKOLSKAYA BAY (KANDALAKSHA BAY, WHITE SEA)

Abstract

The article considers the species composition, features of the spatial and trophic structure of the macrobenthos of the Nikolskaya Bay of the White Sea. Nikolskaya Bay belongs to heavily silty lagoonal ecosystems with a predominance of the trophic group of collecting the detritus feeders. The accumulation of a large amount of organic matter in the sediments of the lagoon and its desalination in the spring period contribute to the development of mainly small species of detritophagous, which are more resistant to siltation and desalination, as well as to oxygen de ciency. These processes are especially manifested in the apex region of the bay. 26 species of invertebrates and 9 species of seagrasses and algae were found in the lagoon. Analysis of the obtained data on the species composition, diversity and structure of macrobenthos communities indicate the predominantly estuarine nature of the fauna of the Nikolskaya Bay lagoon ecosystem compared to other lagoons of the White Sea, since it is well protected from sea waves and currents by islands, luds and corgi.