Food Chains and Their Dynamics in Ecosystems of Shallow Lakes with Different Water Salinities

Abstract

The dynamics of food chains upon changes in water salinity has been analyzed using the example of six poly- and hyperhaline lakes in the Crimea. The results show that ecosystems of saline lakes are sensitive to the impact of external factors. Changes in weather conditions often lead to fluctuations of water salinity, which may cause a changeover in the hydrobiological regime of the lake. In lakes with high water salinity, the shortening of food chain takes place, and the cascade effect is observed in their dynamics.