Assessment of influence of oil spills on distribution of coastal vegetation and waterfowl of the Northern Caspian Sea (model experiment)
It is shown that, at probable achievement of a coastal zone an oil slick, the maximum death toll of birds (<i>Fulica atra</i>) during nesting can make for Volga from 3 to 7, Terek from 4 to 8, the Urals from 0,1 to 0,4 thousand couples respectively. In view of this factor, the general mortality is equal 1,7…2,1 % of the total number of the birds nesting in estuarial area of Volga, 4,5…5,0 % - Terek and 1,6…2,0 % - the Urals. In accident cases during the summer period when the most part of adult individuals of population with broods concentrates along sea edge, mortality of birds will increase. Thus, in the conditions of falling of total number of bald-coots on the Northern Caspian Sea caused first of all by the natural reasons even rather large accident isn't capable to affect considerably the total number of this group the waterbirds. The most part of population won't suffer, and in the presence of suitable places for nestings, birds will be capable to move to uncontaminated territories.