Fungal community dynamics in small ponds of the Erhai Lake littoral zone
This study investigates the seasonal variation and environmental drivers of fungal communities in small ponds located in the littoral zone of Erhai Lake, a high-altitude freshwater lake in southwest China. A total of 78 water samples were collected during autumn and spring. High-throughput sequencing targeting the ITS region (ITS1F-ITS2R) was performed to characterize fungal community composition. Environmental variables, including water temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and organic matter, were measured to explore their relationships with microbial community structure.The dataset reveals significant seasonal differences in fungal community diversity and composition. In addition, local hydrodynamic processes associated with bay morphology contribute to environmental heterogeneity and influence microbial community differentiation. This dataset provides valuable information for understanding microbial community assembly and ecological processes in high-altitude small water bodies.