Space–Time Variations of Fish Communities from the Belbek River

This paper presents the results of studying the species composition, diversity, and dynamics of fish communities from the middle reaches of the Belbek River, one of the small rivers of the Crimean Peninsula, which is actively used to eliminate the shortage of water supply in recent years. The river is currently exposed to significant anthropogenic impact. Trends of change in the structure of the fish community with the economic development of the river have been observed and the main forms of negative environmental impact have been identified. A deterioration in the structure of aquatic communities and a sharp decrease in their diversity have been recorded over a short time period. A decrease in the abundance and a deformation of the population structure of native fish species (Crimea shemaya Alburnus mentoides, Crimean barbel Barbus tauricus, and Salgir gudgeon Gobio krymensis) are also observed. The determining influence of hydraulic engineering and hydrotechnical measures on destructive processes in aquatic ecosystems is shown.