community diversity analysis of eukaryotic micro-plankton via ITS gene metabarcoding in Qiantang River

Here, a ITS metabarcoding assessing assemblages among a wide diversity of eukaryotic groups, including phytoplankton, fungi and zooplankton was conducted in lower reaches of Qiantang river (Zhejiang, China), an important freshwater fishing water used for drinking water, electricity generation, flood control, and recreation, in order to assess the utility of this approach for monitoring diversity of freshwater eukaryotic micro-plankton community, providing insights regarding the relationship between community dynamics of eukaryotic micro-plankton and environmental factors in the system. As a whole, this study provided a theoretical basis for further study on the function of micro-eukaryotic plankton in freshwater ecosystem.