Factors Influencing the Variation in Phytoplankton Functional Groups in Fuchunjiang Reservoir

To explore the distribution characteristics,blooming risk mechanism and driving factors of phytoplankton community structure in Fuchunjiang Reservoir. The variation characteristics of phytoplankton,zooplankton and physicochemical indicators in Fuchunjiang Reservoir and its upper and lower reaches were investigated in 2020 and 2021. Based on the phytoplankton functional groups,non-metric multidimensional scale analysis,redundancy analysis and other statistical methods,the seasonal succession characteristics and driving factors of phytoplankton functional groups were analyzed. A total of 18 phytoplankton functional groups were identified,in of which 10 were predominant. The composition of phytoplankton functional groups in the Fuchunjiang Reservoir was significant different. Spatially,the upstream were dominated by group C and P while the represent species were Cyclotella and Aulacoseira,reflecting the mixed meso-eutrophic environments. However,group P was the main group in Fuchunjiang reservoir,and the dominance decreased gradually along the stream direction. Meanwhile,in the downstream,MP has an absolute advantage at Qiantang River estuary. It reflected the environmental characteristics of frequent disturbance and high turbidity of tide-sensing rivers. In addition,the predominant functional groups demonstrated strong seasonal variations. The dominant functional groups were diverse in summer and consisted of P+L0+J+M+S1+H1+MP. In addition to group P(Aulacoseira),which was dominant throughout the year,it also included several groups represented by cyanobacteria and chlorophyta,reflecting the environmental characteristics of changeable habitats and vigorous productivity. In autumn,the succession was dominated by H1 group represented by Dolichospermum and the representative function groups were P and H1,reflecting the hydrological background of reduced flow and static flow. In winter, the increase of Cyclotella led to the predominance of group C,which was dominated by P+C,reflecting the changing conditions of weakened water exchange and intensified eutrophication problems. In spring,the dominant functional groups were gradually enriched and were composed of C,D,P,and MP,which also reflected the changing environmental habitat characteristics which caused by increasing rainfall and air temperature. According to the results of the C-R-S growth strategy,the Fuchunjiang Reservoir has been in the R strategy for a long time,which was consistent with the habitat characteristics of Fuchunjiang Reservoir and its upper and lower reaches with high disturbance and low stress. In addition,C strategy and S strategy appeared in some reaches,reflecting the variability of water quality and hydrology. RDA analysis showed that water temperature, discharge,zooplankton biomass,permanganate index,total nitrogen and total phosphorus were significantly correlated with the seasonal succession of phytoplankton functional groups (P < 0. 05),and temperature and flow pattern were probably the most critical factors for the succession. Studies have shown that the impact of hydrometeorological processes on phytoplankton in the Fuchunjiang Reservoir is crucial:high temperature and changing discharge during the summer may lead to cyanobacterial blooms in the Fuchunjiang reservoir; To reduce the risk of algal blooms,it is still necessary to increase the control of nitrogen and phosphorus load in rivers,and fully consider the coordination of water conservancy dispatch methods. © 2024 Science Press. All rights reserved.