Characteristics of Algae in Lake Azas (Republic of Tyva, Russia)

The information about the algae of Lake Azas, a part of the water area of which belongs to the Azas State Nature Reserve, is reported for the first time. One hundred seventy one species and intraspecific taxa were identified referred to 72 genera, 50 families, and 8 divisions. The basis of the algal flora was found to consist of diatoms and blue-green algae. Fourteen dominants were identified, 9 of which belong to the Bacillariophyta microalgae. Ecological and geographical studies of the algae in the reserved part of the lake were carried out. The algal flora of the water body was found to be represented by benthic species with a prevalence of indifferent forms in relation to halobility and active reaction of the environment. One hundred twenty three species, indicators of water saprobity, were identified in all the biotopes studied. The predominance of betamezosaprobionts and oligosaprobionts was detected. Geographically, cosmopolitan and boreal species dominated.