Mathematical models of lake Baikal ecosystem

A review is given of the mathematical models of lake Baikal existing today. Special attention is given to the models that take into account the influence of toxicants on the ecosystem components. l of ecosystem disturbances is described that may be used to forecast the ecosystem behaviour during various management conditions in the lake region. It is based on experimental data and the method of its informational provision is given. Model experiments showed that the lake ecosystem is more sensitive to chronic input of toxicants in low concentrations than to fluxes of their input resulting in a concentration of up to 1 mg 1−1. During ice-cover period the planktonic community is shown to be less resistant to disturbances than in summer.