A revision of macrophytobenthos of the "Lebyazh’i Ostrova" Nature Reserve (Black Sea)
A revision of the marine macrophytes flora of the Crimean Nature Reserve branch “Lebyazh’i ostrova” (“Swan Islands”) was carried out. The flora includes 97 species (hereinafter - including infraspecific taxa): Chlorophyta - 30, Ochrophyta - 11, Rhodophyta - 47, Tracheophyta - 7, Charophyta - 2; taxonomic structure: 8 classes, 22 orders, 31 families, 51 genera. The macrophyte flora has an oligosaprobic nature; short vegetation species dominate in terms of vegetation period duration, but perennial species have a fairly high proportion too. Among halobility groups, marine and brackish-water species prevail. Among phytogeographic groups (combined into two complexes) a warm-water complex dominates, with a high contribution of cosmopolitan species. In general, the ecological and floristic indicators of macrophytobenthos are close to those established for the Egorlytsko-Tendrovsko-Dzharylgachsko-Perekopsky hydro-botanical region of the Black Sea. The rare fraction of flora (taking into account regional, national and international nature conservation documents) includes 27 species. Within protected marine and lagoon water areas, biotopes under the special protection of the EU Habitats Directive are located (Council Directive 92/43/EEC); the nature reserve is a structural element of the Emerald Network and is designated as Wetlands of International Importance.