Populations of Some Species of Birds of the Gull Family (Laridae) on Artificial Reservoirs of the Republic of Kalmykia with Increased Anthropogenic Load

Abstract

Information on the state of the nesting population of some species of the order Charadariiformes (Charadriiformes) based on our own expeditionary and published data obtained during the study of bird species of the marsh-near-water complex, which is the most sensitive to changes in the water regime of reservoirs in the southern European part of Russia (using the example of artificial reservoirs of the Republic of Kalmykia), due to increased anthropogenic pressure and climate change is provided. An analysis of the impact of the water factor (drainage/watering of the reservoir) on the nesting population of some representatives of the Gull family (Laridae) is given. Information is provided on the features of the nesting ecology of the most typical nesting species of this taxonomic group for the study area, and their general quantitative indicators and population dynamics for the period 2011–2015 are given. The contribution of the reservoirs of the Sarpinskaya lake system and Deed-Khulsun Lake to the preservation and enrichment of biodiversity of the region was assessed. Recommendations are given for managing their hydrological regime in order to maintain and preserve populations of rare and vulnerable bird species.