Diagnosing habitat degradation of submerged plants in urban lakes: An integrated analysis of underwater light limitation, lake optics, and DOM chemo-diversity
Urban lakes are vital socio-economic and ecological assets, yet their aesthetically pleasant clear water states often degrade along with losses of submerged plants. Restoration failures are frequently due to ambiguous linkages between stressors and habitat deterioration. This study developed an inte...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Ecological Informatics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1574954125003164 |
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| Summary: | Urban lakes are vital socio-economic and ecological assets, yet their aesthetically pleasant clear water states often degrade along with losses of submerged plants. Restoration failures are frequently due to ambiguous linkages between stressors and habitat deterioration. This study developed an integrated diagnostic framework, combining underwater light limitation modelling, lake optic analysis, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) chemo-diversity. The extent of habitat degradation is quantified by the probabilities of a random site that satisfies the minimal light requirement of submerged macrophytes in a lake. Meanwhile, causes of degradation are identified by lake optic analysis and highly correlated DOM-derived indexes that reflect footprints of primary pollution sources. Our findings reveal severe underwater light limitation in four investigated urban lakes in Jiujiang (China), which were driven mainly by elevated chlorophyll-a levels. Domestic sewage was identified as the predominant pollution source, with minimal agricultural and industrial impacts. By establishing a clear stressor-habitat linkage, the results emphasise reducing sewage inputs as a priority for effective lake restoration. This study offers a multi-disciplinary diagnostic framework for managing submerged plant habitat loss in urban lakes. |
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| ISSN: | 1574-9541 |