Global trends and regime state shifts of lacustrine aquatic vegetation
Juhua Luo, Hongtao Duan, Ying Xu, Ming Shen, Yunlin Zhang, Qitao Xiao, Guigao Ni, Kang Wang, Yihao Xin, Tianci Qi, Lian Feng, Yinguo Qiu, Erik Jeppesen, R. Iestyn Woolway
Abstract
on average globally, accounting for 28.9% (FEAV, 15.8%; SAV, 13.1%) of the total lake area. Over two decades, we observed a notable transition: SAV decreased by 30.4%, while FEAV increased by 15.6%, leading to a substantial net loss of AV. This global trend indicates a shift from clear to shaded conditions, increasingly progressing toward turbid states dominated by phytoplankton. We found that human-induced eutrophication was the primary driver of change until the early 2010s, after which global warming and rising lake temperatures became the dominant drivers. These trends serve as a warning sign of deteriorating lake health worldwide. With future climate warming and intensified eutrophication, these ongoing trends pose a significant risk of disrupting lake ecosystems.