The researchers studied the types and amounts of tiny plants in Xingkai Lake in July 2009. They found 41 different species, with green algae being the most common. The total number of these plants was high, and the lake had a diverse range of species. Over time, the types of plants changed, with some decreasing and others increasing. This shift could affect the fish population in the area. The researchers wanted to gather information about the plants in the lake and how they might impact the fish living there.