Effects of aquaculture on the shallow lake aquatic ecological environment of Lake Datong, China

Abstract Background The restoration of lake ecosystems requires a good knowledge the lake’s history and driving mechanism environmental changes. In this study, we used Lake Datong, largest inland in Hunan Province China, as an example to study effects aquaculture, based on historical data aquatic creature, diatom inferred-total phosphorous (DI-TP) data, Ecopath model. Datong has undergone several stages aquaculture from 1980, with rapid increase fish production feed supplementation at each stage. Its water quality deteriorated since introduction become moderate eutrophic status. Results According DI-TP before 1930, was mesotrophic status (50–60 μg/L DI-TP). Between 1930 number nutrient-tolerant species increased slightly, which indicates nutrient (66–83 From 1980s 2010 especially 2000, eutrophication rapidly, dominating assemblage, such Stephanodiscus hantzschii , S. minutulus sudden decrease Aulacoseira granulata (< 10%). annual average concentration 202 μg/L. After 2010, decreased 127–152 2019, consumer biomass very low because large-scale restricted by local government. submerged macrophytes relatively high, indicating that excessive primary producers had not been consumers therefore, entered food web. This led reduction energy transfer efficiency (TE) ecosystem. Conclusions succession ecosystem is reappeared analysis reference data. experienced four following activities, dramatic changes composition its creatures. comprehensive management 2017, lower level, higher, meaning large quantity consumers, thus web, consequently reduces TE Future needs pay attention making suitable macrophyte harvest plan, stocking herbivorous omnivorous fish, establishing rational fishing, can only enhance flows cycling ecosystem, but also improve web structure. Our results provide important values theoretical support for decision-makers stakeholders subsequent similar shallow lake-water ecosystems.