Abstract:Xinfengjiang reservoir is the largest reservoir in Guangdong Province and an important regulator of regional water resource. In the years 2004 to 2005, phytoplankton (species composition and total biomass) and environmental variables were monitored in this oligotropical water body every two months. The phytoplankton biomass varied from 0.037-1.497 mg·L-1, and 158 species were observed. Dominant phytoplankton were Cyclotella meneghiniana, Dactylococcopsis rhaphidioides, chlorella vulgaris and Ankistrodesmus sp., but Peridinium pusillum was the greatest contributor to biomass. The specific composition of phytoplankton community displayed a seasonal pattern. Diatoms, and Dinoflagellates dominated in the early spring and together with Chlorophyta, they dominated in late spring. Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta dominated in summer. In autumn, the abundance of blue-green and green algae decreased while diatoms and dinoflagellates increased. The seasonal variation of dominant phytoplankton groups was greater in 2004 than in 2005. Diatom and green algae dominanted in February and April; Cyanobacteria and green algae dominanted in June and August; diatom, Cyanobacteria and green algae were abundant in October, and Dinobryon in Chrysophyta dominanted in December. There existed a recognizable annual difference in phytoplankton community. Relative abundance of diatioms was much higher in 2005 than in 2004. It is likely the difference in yearly precipitation levels accounted for the differences in yearly phytoplankton abundance and biomass patterns; Hydrodynamics especially in the flood season (June to August) is likely the cause of the increase in diatoms and green algae,. Phytoplankton species having a diameter less than 20 m were the main contributors to total biomass, and those having a diameter greater than 45μm were the secondary contributors. Peridinium pusillum was the dominant species when diameters were less than 20μm. Xinfengjiang Reservoir can be characterized as having more cyanobacteria species (Microcystis and Psuedanabeana) than other oligotropical temperate reservoirs. Biomass sized composition of the phytoplankton community displayed a seasonal dynamics following hydrodynamics and nutrients.