Long-term dynamics of phytoplankton assemblages: Microcystis-domination in Lake Taihu, a large shallow lake in China

China has a large number of freshwater ecosystems. Nevertheless, freshwater resources of good quality are not abundant and hence water availability per capita is only a quarter of the worlds average Historically, human populations in China have always lived close to lakes, which recently has resulted in increased water consumption and, as a consequence, water pollution and water shortage. Many of Chinas lakes are shallow, situated in the densely populated lowlands and are used for drinking and irrigation among several other purposes.