Title：
The decline characteristics of the aquatic plant community and its propagule bank in Changhu Lake: an analysis based on long-term monitoring data
Title of
Journal：
Fundamental and Applied Limnology
Paper
Code：
Volume：
198
Number：
Page：
65-79
Others：
Classification：
Source：
Abstract：
The decline of submerged plants in shallow lakes is a global concern due to their critical roles in maintaining water quality and ecosystem stability. Propagules of these plants can survive long in sediment, making the propagule bank crucial for restoration. We aimed to determine the long-term dynamics of the aquatic plant community and its propagule bank in Changhu Lake, a typical large shallow lake in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China, identify factors influencing plant changes, and propose restoration measures. We combined literature data with in situ investigations on the plant community and propagule bank, and analyzed long-term fluctuations in water quality, land use changes, and water level variations. The study revealed a severe decrease of the aquatic plant community, with coverage plummeting from nearly 100 % in the 1950s to less than 1 % by 2018. The propagule bank has also been nearly depleted, with significant declines in species richness and density from 2008 to 2023. Increased total phosphorus led to eutrophication, and frequent extreme climatic events occurred in recent decades. These stressors caused a shift from a clear-water state to a turbid-water state. Our findings highlight the importance of the propagule bank in restoration strategies. Successful restoration of Changhu Lake requires reducing external nutrient inputs, managing water levels, and supplementing the propagule bank to re-establish a resilient submerged plant community.
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