Aquatic plants in shallow lakes in China are growing too much, causing the lakes to turn into land. Scientists studied different plant types and found that the amount of plants increased as the lakes turned into land. Some plant communities had more plants than others. The scientists figured out how much plant growth is safe for the lakes, and found that the current amount of plants is too high, especially in September. This study helps us know how to manage the plants in lakes to keep them from turning into land.