Abstract: Sedimentation is a common phenomenon in wetlands. It generally increases soil bulk density, moisture content, and metal elements content, while decreases soil organic matter content, aeration condition, and temperature, giving effects on plant survival, growth, and vegetation succession. During the process of long-term adaptive evolution, wetland plants have evolved a series of efficient strategies to acclimate to sedimentation. Some plants have become so specialized that they actually require regular sand burial to maintain high vigor, while the others that don’t have effective strategies are disappeared. The main strategies include: 1) life history strategy, e.g., producing high-quality seed, seed dormancy, or enhanced clonal reproduction, 2) morphological responses, e.g., elongation of stem, leaf, or spacer, decreasing branching angle and root shoot ration, increasing tillers, and producing aerial roots, etc., and 3) physiological responses, e.g., enhanced photosynthetic rate, carbon dioxide exchange rate, and plant hormone level. Future research should focus on the mechanisms accounting for seed dormancy, plant performance, and physiological responses of plants to sedimentation. Meantime, anatomical study should be strengthened.

Key words: Red tide, Heterosigma akashiwo, Biochemical composition, Iron stress