Community Structure and Environmental Adaptation of Phytoplankton in Yangmeikeng Artificial Reef Area in Daya Bay, South China Sea

Seasonal species composition, abundance variations of phytoplankton were investigated during six cruises conducted in Yangmeikeng artificial reef area in Daya Bay, between April 1997 and May 1999. The results showed that there were 181 species of phytoplankton were identified and most belong to diatom species. The seasonal change of species and dominant species were obvious. Phytoplankton abundance was on the trend of rising with diatom dominated which showed that the artificial reef putted in this area played a role in promoting the primary productivity. The K-dominance curve suggested that the community diversity of the phytoplankton decreased from May 2008, August 2008, April 2007, May 2009, March 2008 to November 2008, and the range of seasonal variations were obvious, which showed that the phytoplankton community structure was unstable. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the abundance and spatial distribution of phytoplankton were affected greatly by the water temperature, salinity, transparency, suspended matter and dissolved oxygen.