Bacterial and eukaryotic community assembly and nutrient retention functions of periphyton across agricultural ditches and streams
Periphyton plays an important role in regulating carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling in shallow freshwater ecosystems. This project investigates bacterial and eukaryotic microbial communities associated with periphyton in agricultural drainage ditches and natural streams. Amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes was performed to characterize microbial community composition, diversity, and ecological differentiation between contrasting aquatic habitats. The study aims to explore how environmental nutrient enrichment influences periphyton community assembly and functional potential related to nutrient retention and biogeochemical cycling. These data provide insights into the ecological functions of periphyton in agricultural aquatic networks and its role in regulating nutrient transport and transformation.