Taxonomic Composition of Macrobenthos of Lake Pleshcheyevo

In the macrobenthos of Lake Pleshcheyevo and the adjacent river sites, 112 lower definable taxa (LDTs) have been noted. Chironomids and oligochaetes continue to form the main part of the fauna. The greatest species richness and diversity are noted in the sublittoral zone, where the biocenoses of Dreissena polymorpha formed, and in the rivers adjacent to the lake. The appearance and mass development of the zebra mussel has had a significant impact on the benthos and ecosystem of the reservoir. According to the indicator organisms of the zoobenthos, there has been a decrease in the saprobity of the lake.