Phytoplankton in the Mouth Area of the Rybinsk Reservoir Tributary

The seasonal and interannual dynamics of phytoplankton in the mouth area and adjacent free flowing sections of the small river and in the pelagic area of the reservoir in 2009–2011 are presented. The increased species richness, abundance, and biomass of algae in the mouth area indicate that the edge effect is manifested in the tributary mouth area. A phytoplankton community is formed in the river mouth that is different from that in the adjacent areas. However, abnormal weather conditions can lead to disruption of the stability of ecotonic algocenoses.