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Concentrations of Biogenic Compounds in Forest-Steppe Water Bodies and Streams Inhabited by Beavers (Сastor fiber L.)

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Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess concentrations of compounds of biogenic elements (nitrates, nitrites, ammonium, and phosphates) and to analyze their distribution in water bodies and watercourses of the forest-steppe, where beavers were reintroduced recently. The study was carried out in the State Nature Reserve Privolzhskaya Lesostep’ (Penza oblast). We studied beaver ponds, oxbows inhabited by beavers, and also uninhabited streams. The concentrations of biogenic compounds in water were measured twice a year at the beginning and the end of summer. The results showed that, in general, all water bodies were characterized by an excess of threshold limit value (TLV) of concentrations for ammonium (TLV 2 mg/L, an excess in 76% samples) and phosphates (TLV 3.5 mg/L, 64%). Excesses were less common for nitrites (TLV 3.3 mg/L, 28%) and quite occasional for nitrates (TLV 45 mg/L, 2%). Moreover, the differences between the concentrations of biogenic compounds in the water bodies inhabited by beavers and uninhabited waters did not have statistical significance. Significant differences were observed only for different types of water bodies, which was associated with their water regime. The presence or absence of beavers, as well as their density and abundance, did not lead to significant changes in the concentrations of nutrients. The studied water bodies were surrounded by territories with a high level of agricultural impact, and under these conditions, the effect of beavers on the concentration of nutrients was not observed.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to the director of the Privolzhskaya Lesostep’ Reserve A.N. Dobrolyubov for constant assistance in organizing research and the deputy director for science of the Rdeisky Reserve Dr. N.A. Zavyalov for a helpful and inspiring discussion of the work.

Funding

Research on the activity of beavers and collection of material was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 16-14-10323). Chemical analysis of samples, processing of material, and preparation of the manuscript were carried out through the Program of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences no. 41 “Biodiversity of Natural Systems and Biological Resources of Russia” (draft program “Invasions of Alien Species: Consequences, Risk Assessment, Control.” Topic code: 51.8).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    E. A. Katsman & I. V. Bashinskiy

  2. National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute”, 111250, Moscow, Russia

    A. L. Suzdaleva

  3. State Nature Reserve Privolzhskaya Lesostep’, 440031, Penza, Russia

    V. V. Osipov

  4. Saratov Branch of the VNIRO, 410002, Saratov, Russia

    V. V. Osipov

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  1. E. A. Katsman
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  2. A. L. Suzdaleva
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  3. V. V. Osipov
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  4. I. V. Bashinskiy
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Correspondence to E. A. Katsman, A. L. Suzdaleva, V. V. Osipov or I. V. Bashinskiy.

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Katsman, E.A., Suzdaleva, A.L., Osipov, V.V. et al. Concentrations of Biogenic Compounds in Forest-Steppe Water Bodies and Streams Inhabited by Beavers (Сastor fiber L.). Russ J Biol Invasions 11, 31–40 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S2075111720010063

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