Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Plankton Communities in the Chongqing Section of the National Nature Reserve for Rare and Endemic Fishes in the Upper Yangtze River

Yanjun Shen, Xinxin Zhou, Qinghua Li, Jiaming Zhang, Yufeng Zhang, Xiaohan Dong, Jiaxin Huang, Ruli Cheng and Yang Luo ()
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Yanjun Shen: Laboratory of Water Ecological Health and Environmental Safety, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Xinxin Zhou: Laboratory of Water Ecological Health and Environmental Safety, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Qinghua Li: Laboratory of Water Ecological Health and Environmental Safety, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Jiaming Zhang: Laboratory of Water Ecological Health and Environmental Safety, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Yufeng Zhang: Laboratory of Water Ecological Health and Environmental Safety, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Xiaohan Dong: Laboratory of Water Ecological Health and Environmental Safety, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Jiaxin Huang: Laboratory of Water Ecological Health and Environmental Safety, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Ruli Cheng: Laboratory of Water Ecological Health and Environmental Safety, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Yang Luo: Laboratory of Water Ecological Health and Environmental Safety, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-26

Abstract: In order to understand the community structure of plankton and environmental factors in the Chongqing section of the National Nature Reserve for Rare and Endemic Fishes (referred to as the “Reserve”) along the upper Yangtze River, this study investigated phytoplankton and zooplankton in the water body from 2021 to 2022. The results revealed a diverse phytoplankton community with 243 species from 105 genera and 8 phyla, dominated by Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta. Phytoplankton showed average densities of 1.7 × 10 6 cells/L and biomass of 2.6221 mg/L, following a seasonal pattern of summer > spring > winter. Zooplankton analysis identified 141 species from 77 genera and 4 phyla, with rotifers most abundant, followed by protozoa. Zooplankton displayed average densities of 0.17 × 10 4 ind./L and biomass of 0.3226 mg/L, also following a seasonal pattern of summer > spring > winter. Total phosphorus (TP) emerged as the primary environmental factor influencing plankton community structure, positively correlating with phytoplankton density and zooplankton biomass. Plankton biodiversity indices classified water quality in the Chongqing section of the “Reserve” as oligo-/mesotrophic. Overall, plankton diversity in this section is notably rich, with similar species composition between mainstems and tributaries but seasonal variations in community structure. While mainstem water quality generally meets standards, some tributaries exhibit varying degrees of pollution, underscoring the need for improved ecological management and protection measures. This is crucial for maintaining the sustainability of the ecosystem.

Keywords: the upper Yangtze River; plankton; mainstem and tributaries; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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