Four terrestrialization characteristics of Baiyangdian Lake, China

Terrestrialization is the process by which a water body changes from a wetland to a terrestrial ecosystem. Many factors contribute to the process, including climate change and macrophyte expansion. Among such factors, water level and eutrophication result in quantitative and qualitative changes on macrophyte communities, while expansion of macrophytes can accelerate the rate of terrestrialization by bioaccumulation. The siltation of sand also greatly contributes to terrestrialization. Here, the water quality, water level, siltation of sand, and vegetation of Baiyangdian Lake were analyzed to assess the terrestrialization characteristics of this lake and understand its terrestrialization process.