Abstract: 【Objective】A comprehensive understanding of the distribution pattern of vegetation in a hydro-fluctuation zone could provide a strong basis for guiding the restoration and reconstruction of the plant community in this zone. 【Methods】We carried out detailed plant community surveys in the Thousand Island Lake, at several fixed sampling plots on weathered bedrock within the hydro-fluctuation zone. Based on the variation in water level, we analyzed the features of the vertical distribution of natural vegetation within the altitude range of 98.0-108.9 m, using indices of diversity, species importance values, and clustering analyses. 【Results】The water level showed a regular seasonal variation: it was low(98-100 m)from January to March, rose to 104 m during April-June, and reached its maximum(105-106 m)from July to September, followed by a rapid decrease to about 100 m from October to December. The vertical distribution pattern of vegetation in the fluctuation zone was associated with the seasonal variation in water level and flooding time. Tree-shrub-herbaceous vegetation was present in the altitude range from 106.0 to 108.9 m, with the dominant tree species being Schima superba and Cinnamomum camphora. Shrub-herbaceous vegetation existed in the hydro-fluctuation zone from 104.0 to 105.9 m, where Pleioblastus amarus and Rubus corchorifolius were the dominant shrubs and herbs mainly comprised Bidens frondosa and Pseudognaphalium affine. Only herbaceous vegetation, with coverage of approximately 20%, was observed in the low water level zone from 102.0 to 103.9 m, primarily constituted of herbaceous species that also appeared in shrub-herbaceous vegetation, including Ranunculus japonicus, Rumex acetosa, Hemisteptia lyrata, Cynodon dactylon, Neyraudia reynaudiana and Carex pruinosa. Vegetation was entirely absent within the altitude range of 98.0-101.9 m. The plant diversity therefore decreased with descending altitude. 【Conclusion】The characteristics and pattern of vertical distribution of vegetation on weathered bedrock in the hydro-fluctuation zone provides a species pool and potential species configuration for ecological restoration and reconstruction. In addition, the herbaceous vegetation and non-vegetation zones are extremely vulnerable in the hydro-fluctuation vegetation zone in the Thousand Island Lake, and thereby become the most difficult and important areas for ecological restoration and reconstruction.