In order to investigate the characteristics and spatial-temporal variations of the phytoplankton community in artificial reef areas, as well as to elucidate the relationship between phytoplankton abundance and environmental factors associated with artificial reef construction, four surveys were conducted in 2021 (May, August, November) and 2022 (January) at two artificial reef areas and a control area in Xiangyun Bay. A total of 70 phytoplankton taxa belonging to 39 genera and 3 classes were identified in this study. The annual average abundance of phytoplankton in the artificial reef areas was recorded as 313.5 × 104 cells/m3, which were 1.4 times higher than that observed in the control area. Except in spring, the richness index, diversity index and evenness index of phytoplankton in the artificial reef areas were higher than those in the control area. The succession rate of dominant species from spring to summer and from summer to autumu in the reef areas were lower than that in the control area, suggesting greater stability of community structure within artificial reef areas compared to the control area. The biological increment index for each phytoplankton taxon ranged from 0.9 to 3.6; notably, Bacillariophyta displayed an average biological increment index value of 1.8. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that phytoplankton abundance was primarily influenced by TP, TN, NH4-N, NO3-N and DIP; significant seasonal differences were observed among these variables. These findings demonstrate that artificial reef construction has a positive conservation effect on phytoplankton communities closely related to temporal and spatial changes in nutrient availability.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |