水生高等植物是湖泊生态系统中的主要初级生产者，是湖泊生态系统结构和功能的重要组成部分，而以细菌、真菌等为主的微生物则是主要的分解者，是该生态系统中物质循环的主要驱动者，但是湖泊中水生高等植物残体生物质分解转化的微生物生态学过程与机制尚不明确。本项目拟借助稳定同位素探针、高通量测序和基因芯片等新技术，采用野外调查、原位模拟和室内控制实验相结合的方法，通过比较不同类型水生高等植物残体分解过程中微生物群落组成、功能和动态及其与主要环境因子之间的关系，阐明哪些微生物参与湖泊中水生高等植物残体的分解；确定微生物与水生高等植物残体的分解之间是否存在种间特异性关系；揭示影响主要水生高等植物残体微生物分解的关键环境因子及其调控机制；从而为深入了解湖泊生态系统物质循环提供科学依据。研究结果不仅有助于从微观层面深入认识湖泊生态系统的结构、功能及其运行，也为丰富淡水生态学的理论体系提供一定的基础数据和理论依据。

Macrophytes are the major primary producers of shallow lakes and they play an important role in the functioning of lake ecosystems. Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are the main decomposers and the major pulse drivers of the material cycle in lake ecosystems. However, we know little about the microbial process and mechanism in the decomposition of macrophytes residues in lake ecosystems. In this project, we use the combined methods including the field survey, microcosms experiment in situ and lab-scale simulation experiment to analyze the microbial community compositions, functions and dynamic, as well as their relationships with the main environmental factors in the decomposition processes of different macrophytes residues. And all of these studies will be intended to use new technologies such as stable isotope probing, high-throughput sequencing and GeoChips. The aims of this project include investigating the microbial community compositions that take part in the decomposition of macrophytes residues in lakes, revealing whether there exist interspecific relationships between microorganisms and macrophytes, and revealing the key environmental factors which affect the microbial decomposition of macrophytes residues. The obtained results will enhance our thorough understanding of nutrient cycling processes in lake ecosystems. Overall, this study will not only deepen our understanding of the structure, function and operation of lake ecosystems, but will also provide important basic data and theoretical support for enriching the theoretical systems of freshwater ecology.