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Microbial Source Tracking and Community Assembly Mechanisms in Fenhe Reservoir Wetland
Xue Wang1, Jinxian Liu1, Baofeng Chai1
1Shanxi Key Laboratory for Ecological Restoration of Loess Plateau, Institute of Loess Plateau, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
Microorganisms
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Microbial communities in reservoirs show distinct upstream and downstream assembly. Upstream areas are influenced by river inputs and selection, while downstream areas resemble natural lakes with dispersal as the main driver.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Microbial communities regulate essential biogeochemical processes and water quality in aquatic ecosystems.
- Understanding microbial community structure and assembly is crucial for managing reservoir ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sources and assembly mechanisms of microbial communities in Fenhe Reservoir and Gonghai Lake.
- To compare microbial dynamics between a reservoir wetland and a natural lake.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze microbial communities.
- Source tracking and phylogenetic null modeling were utilized to determine microbial origins and assembly processes.
Main Results:
- Significant spatial variations in microbial sources and assembly were observed within the reservoir.
- Upstream reservoir regions were dominated by riverine inputs and variable selection.
- Downstream reservoir zones exhibited homogeneous dispersal, resembling natural lake communities.
Conclusions:
- Reservoir microbial communities display a dual structure influenced by both external inputs and internal processes.
- Upstream reservoir dynamics are shaped by external inputs and strong selection, whereas downstream dynamics are driven by dispersal and local factors.
- These findings provide insights into the unique ecological functioning of artificial reservoir ecosystems.
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