Hydrochemical criteria for typification of the Azov limans of the Krasnodar Territory as the spawning grounds for semi-anadromous fish species

The Azov limans of the Krasnodar Territory are of major fishery importance, as they serve as the spawning grounds for valuable semi-anadromous fish species. Roach and zander at their early stages of development are highly susceptible to the negative effects of various abiotic environmental factors, which makes them very dependent on the hydrochemical status of the water bodies during the spawning season. As the hydrochemical regime, in turn, closely depends on the hydrological regime and the overgrowth area of the limans, it can be used as a criterion parameter that affects the success of spawning of the semi-anadromous fish species and growth of their juveniles. This paper proposes a system of hydrochemical scoring and establishes the criteria for the typification of the limans based on their suitability for spawning and growing of zander and roach following the data collected in the spring season of 2017–2021. Based on the analysis of the hydrochemical data, 3 main blocks for the typification of limans according to their suitability for spawning of semi-anadromous fish species were identified: gas conditions, ionic composition and the content of biogenic components in water along with an assessment of the primary production of phytoplankton. It has been found out that the Azov limans of the Krasnodar Territory vary significantly in terms of the hydrochemical composition of their water. Some limans are characterized by pronounced fluctuations of the hydrochemical and ichthyological characteristics in interannual dynamics. Based on the hydrochemical criteria, the limans of the Kulikov-Ordynsk group (Bolshoy Bashtovy, Donchikov, Bolshoy Grushchany) and the Kulikovskiy Liman were the most favorable for the spawning of zander and roach, and the Ryasnoy, Boykievskiy and Kurchanskiy Limans were the least favorable. The low production coefficient in the water of most limans can be indicative of their high degree of overgrowth with macrophytes, which control is crucial in increasing the efficiency of natural reproduction of semi-anadromous fish species. The correlation between the criterion scoring of the limans based on the hydrochemical regime and the density of distribution of zander and roach juveniles has been established, which confirms the validity of this study.