The researchers studied the types and amounts of tiny plants in Shenzhen Bay in 2006. They found 27 genera and 34 species of these plants, with diatoms being the most common. The plants were most abundant in autumn and spring. The diversity and evenness of the plant community were low, meaning some species were more common than others. The number of species decreased in areas with high nutrients. The plants were affected by factors like nutrients, salinity, and oxygen levels in the water.