System dynamics modeling of the influence of the TN/TP concentrations in socioeconomic water on NDVI in shallow lakes

•A new SD model was developed to analyze the influence mechanism of socioeconomic water on vegetation growth.•The relationship between TP, TN and NDVI was investigated.•The internal feedback mechanisms among various components of the socioeconomic water usage system were analyzed.•The processing of reuse water had a less influence on vegetation growth than the processing of wastewater.•Agricultural wastewater exhibited the most significant impact on NDVI, followed by industrial and domestic wastewater.