Phytoplankton Size as an Ecological Bioindicator in a Subtropical Fragmented River, China
Journal: Water
Year: 2025

This study investigates the Serial Discontinuity Concept (SDC) by analyzing the size of phytoplankton structures across 13 cascade dams in the fragmented East River, China. The results showed that dam flow-regulation minimized seasonal differences in total chlorophyll-a (Chl-a). Spatially, midstream Chl-a was higher during the dry period, whereas increased wet periods were linked to reservoir effects and nutrient conditions. Nano-phytoplankton dominated during both periods, while micro-phytoplan