Afforestation suppresses Oncomelania hupensis snail density through influencing algae in beaches of the Dongting Lake.

Afforestation of the beach environment can significantly reduce the snail population density by altering ecological factors. Soil algae (biological factors) might be the key element that drives ecological snail control. As important habitat determinants, the impact of the properties of the soil (non-biological factors) on the snail population was largely mediated through soil algae.