Environmental stressors drive fungal community homogenization and diversity loss in plateau freshwater lakes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fungi play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems by driving nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and water purification. However, the diversity and community structure of aquatic fungi, particularly in plateau freshwater lakes, remain underexplored. This study used high-throughput sequencing to investigate fungal communities in three plateau lakes (Chenghai, Erhai, and Lugu) with varying water quality, focusing on how environmental factors shape community composition.

Results

Significant differences in fungal α-diversity and community structure were observed across the lakes. Chenghai Lake, with the poorest water quality, exhibited the lowest fungal diversity and a more homogenized community structure. Reduced diversity was associated with elevated salin

SUBMITTER: Fang K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12261782 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature