Chapter
13    

E. A. Baldina, I. A. Labutina

Geography Department
Moscow State University
Moscow, Russia

G. M. Rusanov, A. K. Gorbunov, A. F. Zhivoglyad

Astrakhanskiy Biosphere Reserve
Astrakhan, Russia

J. de Leeuw

International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences
Enschede, The Netherlands

Abstract

The wetlands of the Volga River delta have been designated wetlands of international importance and include the protected areas of the Astrakhanskiy Biosphere Reserve (Zapovednik). Space photographs help document the effects of Caspian Sea level change on the vegetation of the delta and on habitat suitability for waterbirds and mammals. The dramatic increase in vegetation that accompanied the most recent regression (until 1978) attracted great flocks of birds that nested and/or wintered in the area. Sea-level rise (1978 to present) and increased Volga River runoff has changed the quantity and distribution of aquatic vegetation. During the present highstand, extensive mats of floating debris serve as habitat for birds and some mammals but overall habitat availability and quality has decreased.

Citation for the published article

Baldina, E. A., I. A. Labutina, G. M. Rusanov, A. K. Gorbunov, A. F. Zhivoglyad and J. de Leeuw, 2000. Changes in avian habitats in Volga Delta wetlands during Caspian sea-level fluctuations, in Dynamic Earth Environments: Remote Sensing Observations from Shuttle-Mir Missions (K. P. Lulla and L. V. Dessinov, eds.), John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 171-180, 267, 282.

Links to Color Images

	Figure 13.1 High oblique view of the Volga River delta and prodelta for regional context, (April 14, 1994, NASA photograph STS059-218-64, see also Figure 19.2 in the color insert). The box area is the Damchik section of the Astrakhanskiy Biosphere Reserve shown in Figures 13.4 and 13.5.
	Figure 13.2 Multiyear changes in (a) Volga runoff (km3/yr), and (b) Caspian Sea level (m). (Modified from Baidin and Kosarev, 1986.)
	Figure 13.3 Location of sections of the Astrakhanskiy Biosphere Reserve. Areas discussed in Figures 13.4 to 13.6 are marked.
	Figure 13.4 Vegetation maps of southern portion of Damchik section of Astrakhanskiy Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and 1992. Key to vegetation types: E3, Willow forests (Salix alba and S. triandra ) with layer of common reed (Phragmites australis), reedmace (Typha angustifolia), forb, and grass; E4, open forests of S. alba with layer of sedge, forb, and grass; E17, reed meadows; A1, dense stand of reedmace with small amounts of reed, A2, dense stand of reed and reedmace; A3, nearly closed stands of reed and reedmace with floating and submerged vegetation (Salvinia natans, Ceratophyllum demersum, Lemna minor, Spirodela polirhiza); A4, open stands of reedmace and reed with floating and submerged vegetation; A5, mosaic of isolated and aggregated clones of reed and reedmace with floating and submerged vegetation (Nymphaea candida, Nymphoides peltata, Ceratophyllum demersum); A6, mosaic of isolated and aggregated clones of reed, reedmace, bur-reed (Sparganium erectum), and lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) with floating and submerged vegetation (Nymphoides peltata; Salvinia natans, Nymphaea candida, Ceratophyllum demersum, Trapa natans, Lemna minor, Netellopsis obtusa); A7, mosaic of isolated clones and fringe-like stands of reedmace with a small part reed with floating and submerged vegetation (Ceratophyllum demersum, Trapa natans, Salvinia natans, Nymphoides peltata); A8, isolated clones of reed and reedmace reed with floating and submerged vegetation; A9, isolated clones of reed and reedmace reed with rare patches of lotus; A10, isolated large clones of reed; A11, closed monospecific fields of lotus; A12, more open fields of lotus with bur-reed and isolated clones of reed and reedmace; A13, fields of floating and submerged vegetation (Trapa natans, Nymphaea candida, Nuphar lutea, Nymphoides peltata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton pectinatus, Netellopsis obtusa) with rare clones of reed, reedmace, lotus and bur-reed; A16, fields of submerged vegetation (Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton pectinatus) with rare patches of floating vegetation and sparse clones of reed; A17, continuous fields of submerged vegetation with some floating vegetation (Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton pectinatus, Trapa natans, Nymphaea candida), bur-reed and sparse clones of reed; A18, open water fields of submerged vegetation close to the bottom.
	Figure 13.5 Changes in seasonal overgrowth of aquatic vegetation in the Damchik section of Astrakhanskiy Biosphere Reserve: (A) data from classification of Landsat MSS image, June 8, 1977; (B) data from classification of Landsat MSS image, August 29, 1978; (C) difference between vegetation cover in views (A) and (B); (D) data from classification of MSU-E Resurs O photograph, June 30, 1991; (E) data from classification of MSU-E Resurs O photograph, September 5, 1992; (F) difference between vegetation cover in views (D) and (E). The difference image primarily characterizes the spread of vegetation with floating leaves and thickets of lotus and bur-reed.
	Figure 13.6 Change in vegetation on Chistaya Banka Island during the 1978-1992 period using data from (A) Landsat MSS image, June 8, 1977; (B) Landsat MSS image, August 29, 1978; (C) MSU-E Resurs O photograph, June 30, 1991; and (D) MSU-E Resurs O photograph, September 5, 1992. Three vegetation classes are represented based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).
	Figure 13.7 State of Volga delta wetlands during period of high Caspian Sea level, September 1994 (NASA photograph STS064-101-17, see also Figure 19.3 in the color insert). The boxed area is the Damchik section discussed in Figures 13.4 and 13.5.

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