Home / Science / Monks Introduced Trout to Solovki Lakes Centuries Ago
Monks Introduced Trout to Solovki Lakes Centuries Ago
3 Aug
Summary
- Brown trout population in Solovki Island reservoirs was assessed for the first time.
- Monks introduced the sedentary brook trout to the archipelago's lakes in the late 19th century.
- Research is part of a broader effort to assess human impact on the Solovki ecosystem.
Ichthyologists have completed the first-ever assessment of the brown trout population in the Bolshoy Solovetsky Island reservoirs. These fish, identified as a sedentary form known as brook trout, were historically introduced to the Solovki Islands. Archival data suggests that monks from the Solovetsky Monastery were responsible for this introduction, likely between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The sedentary brook trout typically reach a smaller size, around 30-35 cm, compared to their migratory counterparts. This study is integrated into a significant effort to understand and quantify the anthropogenic impact on the Solovki ecosystem. This comprehensive assessment is being overseen at the national level, with specific institutions tasked with evaluating critical environmental thresholds.
Specialists are analyzing the effects of human activity, particularly tourism, on freshwater fish populations. Preliminary findings indicate no severe human impact on the fish in lakes near the village of Solovetsky. The research also encompasses broader ecological studies across the archipelago, including hydrobiology, geo-botany, and entomology, contributing to a holistic view of the Solovki's environmental health.
