Abstract
N. Hrynevych, M. Prychepa*, Yu. Kovalenko, O. Vodianitskyi, M. Svitelskyi, O. Fotin, L. Zahorui, V. Zharchynska, B. Gutyj*, S. Kulish, V. Honcharenko, T. Velesyk, R. Sachuk, Ya. Stravsky and N. Boltyk
The formation of waterfowl communities was considered regards the overgrowth area in the lakes with higher aquatic plants. We found that water bodies with overgrowth of macrophytes by 33 and 50% had high biodiversity. When water bodies are overgrown by 23%, the highest number of nesting birds was observed, whereas when overgrown is 5%, the number of birds is much less. The same happens when water bodies are overgrown up to 90%. We revealed that the optimal lake overgrowth for the existence and reproduction of waterfowl and waterbirds was 33% and 50%, confirmed by the Shannon diversity indices (2.4 and 2.07, respectively). The relationship between the percentage of overgrowing and nesting birds number was also confirmed. We identified four bird species that breed successfully regardless of reservoir overgrowth, while nine bird species need special conditions. Our results can be implemented in the engineering, reclamation, and recreational activities in the municipal water bodies. Also, our data can be used to increase the biological diversity and productivity of water bodies.