<p>Vegetation litter decomposition in wetland ecosystems is vital for nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning. Macrobenthos are known to accelerate decomposition through feeding and fragmentation; however, their role, particularly in relation to temporal shifts in community structure and nutrient release, remains insufficiently understood. We conducted an in-situ decomposition experiment at Poyang Lake, utilizing litterbags with mesh sizes of 0.1&#xa0;mm and 4.7&#xa0;mm to assess the decomposition process of litter from three dominant wetland vegetation species (<i>Carex cinerascens</i>, <i>Triarrhena lutarioriparia</i>, and <i>Phragmites australis</i>) and the influence of macrobenthos on this process. The results revealed significant variations in litter decomposition rates, with <i>P. australis</i> decomposing the fastest and <i>C. cinerascens</i> the slowest. Litter in large-mesh bags exhibited higher decomposition rates than that in small-mesh bags, underscoring the contribution of macrobenthos. During <i>T. lutarioriparia</i> litter decomposition, the nitrogen (N) concentration exhibited a significant positive correlation with the decomposition rate, while the C/N ratio showed a significant negative correlation with the decomposition rate. During the decomposition of <i>C. cinerascens</i> and <i>P. australis</i> litter, the decomposition rate showed a significant positive correlation with the abundance of macrobenthos. The macrobenthos community was dominated by gatherer-collectors throughout the study, with the Chironomidae family representing the majority, accounting for 75%. These findings emphasize the crucial role of macrobenthos in accelerating nutrient cycling, particularly during early decomposition stages, and provide new insights into the temporal dynamics of wetland vegetation litter decomposition.</p>