Abstract: Eco-hydrological regulation of lakes have received more and more attentions in recent years, but systemic research on hydrological requirements of aquatic organisms is still limited. We systematically summarized the current status of aquatic plants and water level in the mid-lower Yangtze shallow lakes, influences of water level fluctuations on aquatic plants, and the requirement mode of water level fluctuation of aquatic plants. We also introduced a new method assessing ecological water level in shallow lakes based on aquatic plants, and provided corresponding strategies of water level regulations for lakes with different functions.