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Purpose <p>The purpose of this study is to investigate the distribution and ecological drivers of microbial communities in sediments of the Wubu River, a high-density cascade-dammed tributary of the Yangtze River. The extensive hydropower development in the region has altered river ecosystems, yet its impact on microbial community assembly remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the spatial heterogeneity of fungal and bacterial communities and identify key environmental factors influencing their distribution and stability.</p> Methods <p>Sediment samples were collected from multiple sites along the Wubu River. High-throughput 16&#xa0;S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing was used to characterize bacterial and fungal communities. Environmental variables, including total geographic distance, carbon content, and nitrogen levels, were analyzed to determine their influence on microbial distribution. Microbial network analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of dam construction on community connectivity and stability. The ecological assembly processes were assessed using the dispersal limitation model.</p> Results <p>The results showed significant spatial heterogeneity in microbial community structure, primarily driven by hydropower development. Fungal α-diversity declined downstream, while bacterial communities exhibited stochastic variations. Dominant taxa, including unclassified_k_Fungi (12.91–39.24%), unclassified_p_<i>Rozellomycota</i> (3.74–41.23%), norank_o_<i>Vicinamibacterales</i> (1.77–4.83%), and <i>Pseudarthrobacter</i> (0.18–8.79%), fluctuated with environmental gradients. Geographic distance was identified as the key factor influencing microbial distribution, with dispersal limitation accounting for 51.82% of fungal and 48.87% of bacterial community variations. Microbial network analysis revealed that damming reduced interspecies connectivity, leading to disrupted community stability and complexity. Key taxa played a crucial role in maintaining microbial network stability, surpassing the influence of dominant species.</p> Conclusions <p>The study highlights the profound impact of high-density cascade damming on microbial community assembly in river sediments. Dispersal limitation and habitat fragmentation caused by damming play a critical role in shaping microbial distribution and ecological stability. These findings enhance our understanding of microbial ecology in regulated river systems, providing valuable insights for ecosystem management in hydropower-impacted environments.</p>

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Dispersal limitation dominates impaired connectivity of microbial communities in high-density cascade dams

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月25日

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  • Bo Zhong,
  • Yun Guo,
  • Naying Li,
  • Xiaofeng Wang,
  • Shengnan Wu,
  • Bandana Shakya,
  • Xianxiang Li,
  • Zao Yang,
  • Yixin He

摘要

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the distribution and ecological drivers of microbial communities in sediments of the Wubu River, a high-density cascade-dammed tributary of the Yangtze River. The extensive hydropower development in the region has altered river ecosystems, yet its impact on microbial community assembly remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the spatial heterogeneity of fungal and bacterial communities and identify key environmental factors influencing their distribution and stability.

Methods

Sediment samples were collected from multiple sites along the Wubu River. High-throughput 16 S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing was used to characterize bacterial and fungal communities. Environmental variables, including total geographic distance, carbon content, and nitrogen levels, were analyzed to determine their influence on microbial distribution. Microbial network analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of dam construction on community connectivity and stability. The ecological assembly processes were assessed using the dispersal limitation model.

Results

The results showed significant spatial heterogeneity in microbial community structure, primarily driven by hydropower development. Fungal α-diversity declined downstream, while bacterial communities exhibited stochastic variations. Dominant taxa, including unclassified_k_Fungi (12.91–39.24%), unclassified_p_Rozellomycota (3.74–41.23%), norank_o_Vicinamibacterales (1.77–4.83%), and Pseudarthrobacter (0.18–8.79%), fluctuated with environmental gradients. Geographic distance was identified as the key factor influencing microbial distribution, with dispersal limitation accounting for 51.82% of fungal and 48.87% of bacterial community variations. Microbial network analysis revealed that damming reduced interspecies connectivity, leading to disrupted community stability and complexity. Key taxa played a crucial role in maintaining microbial network stability, surpassing the influence of dominant species.

Conclusions

The study highlights the profound impact of high-density cascade damming on microbial community assembly in river sediments. Dispersal limitation and habitat fragmentation caused by damming play a critical role in shaping microbial distribution and ecological stability. These findings enhance our understanding of microbial ecology in regulated river systems, providing valuable insights for ecosystem management in hydropower-impacted environments.