Abstract: The dynamic process of lateral hydrological connectivity is a key driving factor in maintaining the functional stability of wetland ecosystems and holds significant implications for wetland conservation and ecological restoration. This study focuses on the coastal wetlands of the Yellow River Delta and employs a combination of field monitoring and laboratory experiments to systematically analyze the dynamics of surface and subsurface water levels as well as soil structural properties. The study reveals the spatiotemporal variation patterns and driving mechanisms of lateral hydrological connectivity. The main findings are as follows both surface and subsurface lateral connectivity indices (LC) show a significant decreasing trend with increasing distance from tidal creeks. However, subsurface connectivity exhibits greater intensity and longer duration compared to surface connectivity. The hydrological connectivity response to tidal fluctuations weakens progressively with increasing distance from the coastline or tidal creeks, although similar dynamic patterns are observed across different creeks. Soil structure exhibits significant spatial variability in its influence on hydrological connectivity. Surface soil properties (e.g., saturated water content, field capacity) mainly regulate the duration of lateral connectivity (p<0.05), while subsurface soil properties (e.g., non-capillary porosity) primarily determine the intensity of connectivity (p<0.05), with non-capillary porosity identified as a key factor. Soil bulk density and capillary porosity influence the spatiotemporal dynamics of hydrological connectivity by altering the soil's water infiltration and storage capacity. This study provides new insights into the dynamic patterns of lateral hydrological connectivity and the regulatory role of soil properties in the Yellow River Delta wetlands. The findings offer a theoretical basis for coastal wetland ecological restoration and water resource management. Future research should integrate longer time series data, multi-scale spatial sampling, and factors such as tidal creek morphology. A combined approach involving field experiments and model simulations is recommended to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying hydrological connectivity.