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Divergence of Root Microbiota in Different Habitats based on Weighted Correlation Networks
Published on: September 25, 2021
Connectivity in protist assemblages across coastal habitats: insights from coastal water in Haizhou Bay, China
Ze Zhao1, Chen Wu1, Yongqi Yao1
1College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
Abstract:
Protist communities play critical roles in coastal ecosystem functioning through their mediation of carbon cycling and trophic interactions, yet their ecological responses to habitat heterogeneity and anthropogenic pressures remain undercharacterized. This study elucidates the spatiotemporal dynamics of protist communities in surface (S) and bottom (B) water layers across three distinct habitats in Haizhou Bay, China: estuarine area (EA), comprehensive effect area (CEA), and artificial reef area (ARA). Alpha diversity analysis revealed significantly elevated protist diversity in EA_B (Shannon index, Simpson index, Species Rich and Chao1: P < 0.01) compared to other habitats. Beta diversity patterns (PERMANOVA: P = 0.02) demonstrated significant compositional divergence of protist community between ARA and EA, with LEfSe identifying habitat-specific biomarkers including Pyrrophyta (phylum) in ARA_S, Heterokonta (phylum) in CEA_S; Chlorophyta (phylum) in EA_S; Endomyxa (phylum) in EA_B. Co-occurrence network analysis identified key ecological bridges (e.g. ARA_B, CEA_B, EA_S) facilitating cross-habitat connectivity. Redundancy analysis quantified four principal environmental drivers (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen) explaining 23.38 % of community variation. Notably, protist communities in EA and ARA exhibited divergent taxonomic profiles but maintained spatial connectivity through hydrodynamic transport and functional convergence. Artificial reef structures exacerbated protist niche partitioning while promoting vertical connectivity through localized upwelling dynamics. This study underscores the importance of preserving ecological connectivity and habitat complexity in coastal systems, positioning protists as sensitive bioindicators for marine environmental protection. Our findings can guide conservation strategies that enhance resilience against climate change and protect microbial biodiversity hotspots.
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