Modeling the species shift from Potamogeton malaianus Miq. to Potamogeton maackianus A. Bennett in the experiment pond

► Individual size and leaf area index have been coupled to the goal function. ► A chain-reacting from leaf area determines the changes of exergy index by translating into the biomass of the submerged macrophyte. ► Nutrients level in water column may be the key reason for the submerged macrophyte species shift.