Biodiversity and recent exotic invasions of the Caspian Sea

摘要

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest lake (area 374 000 km~2; volume 78 200 km~3), greatly exceeding Lake Superior by 4.5 times in area and Lake Baikal by 3.5 times in volume (Zenkevich 1963). Several factors relate to the lake's unique history, morphometry, age and array of habitats that promote high biodiversity (Aladin et al. 2002). Here, we briefly review the history and characteristics of Caspian Sea that have caused and maintained the currently observed high biodiversity. We also discuss recent exotic invasions and other potential threats to this unique ecosystem.