Dongting Lake is home to the elk, a national first-class protected animal. It is also the habitat of the Chinese round field snail and many migratory birds.
A large area of European and American black poplar and rapeseed were newly planted in the wetland. Parts of the East Dongting Lake Conservation Area near Tuan Chau Township have been reclaimed as arable land for wheat and rape cultivation. Bags of used herbicide were scattered around the lake's shores and in the reeds.