Title：
Exploring shade adaptation of two submerged macrophytes to advance aquatic restoration
Authors：
Corresponding
Author：
Junshuang Yu, Huoran Zhou, Haiming Su, Fan Liu, Ling Xian*
Pubyear：
2026
Title of
Journal：
Restor. Ecol
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Abstract：
Introduction The successful restoration of submerged macrophytes is fundamental to rehabilitating degraded aquatic ecosystems. A major obstacle in this process is light limitation in turbid or shaded waters, which severely limits plant colonization and survival. Understanding species-specific shade adaptation strategies is essential for guiding effective aquatic restoration.Objectives This study aimed to elucidate the shade adaptation strategies of two submerged macrophytes, Hydrilla verticillata and Myriophyllum spicatum, through a plant trait network (PTN) approach.Methods A controlled shading experiment was conducted, combining functional trait analysis with PTN to quantify shifts in growth patterns, biomass allocation, nutrient stoichiometry, and photosynthetic traits.Results Under shaded conditions, H. verticillata exhibited a photosynthetic compensation strategy through high phenotypic plasticity in shoot elongation and pigment production, while M. spicatum employed an optimization strategy mediated by more complex trait coordination. These distinct adaptation pathways resulted in markedly different resource allocation patterns between the two species.Conclusion The findings demonstrate distinct shade adaptation strategies in submerged macrophytes, which are effectively characterized through functional trait analysis and PTN.
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