Seasonal shifts in phytoplankton community assembly mediated by hydrological connectivity in a sluice-regulated distributary estuarine network—as a case in the Pearl River Estuary

Key Points

• Seasonal shifts in phytoplankton community assembly are influenced by changes in hydrological connectivity, affecting overall ecosystem health.
• Phytoplankton composition varied significantly across seasons, highlighting the dynamic interactions within the estuarine network's ecosystem.
• Analysis of hydrological connectivity patterns provided insights into how these shifts occur within the sluice-regulated system.
• Understanding these seasonal dynamics may inform better management practices for estuarine ecosystems and water quality.