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<p>Island coastal ecosystems are highly vulnerable to natural disturbances and human activities, often resulting in fragmented habitats and altered regeneration conditions for native plant populations. Here, we present a single-season census of <i>Heliotropium arboreum</i> across six coastal populations on Hainan Island, Wuzhizhou Island and the Xisha Islands, describing basal-diameter (BD) size-class structure and associated habitat conditions. Across sites, most individuals were concentrated in intermediate BD classes (approximately 63–86%), producing an irregular pyramid-like size-class distribution. Seedlings were absent and the smallest size classes were poorly represented, indicating a potential regeneration bottleneck and limited recent recruitment. However, because the dataset represents a one-time survey, the results should be interpreted as a snapshot of population structure rather than evidence of demographic rates or population trajectories. Based on the observed size-class patterns and fragmented coastal distribution, we recommend reducing local disturbances, strengthening <i>in situ</i> protection of existing individuals and prioritizing research on seed biology, seedling establishment, and propagation (including assisted planting) to support future restoration and conservation planning.</p>

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Population size class structure and conservation implications of Heliotropium arboreum in island coastal ecosystems

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月1日

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  • Xiaofeng Zhang,
  • Mir Muhammad Nizamani,
  • Youzhuan Mai,
  • Huiying Gui,
  • Shaozhong Wu

摘要

Island coastal ecosystems are highly vulnerable to natural disturbances and human activities, often resulting in fragmented habitats and altered regeneration conditions for native plant populations. Here, we present a single-season census of Heliotropium arboreum across six coastal populations on Hainan Island, Wuzhizhou Island and the Xisha Islands, describing basal-diameter (BD) size-class structure and associated habitat conditions. Across sites, most individuals were concentrated in intermediate BD classes (approximately 63–86%), producing an irregular pyramid-like size-class distribution. Seedlings were absent and the smallest size classes were poorly represented, indicating a potential regeneration bottleneck and limited recent recruitment. However, because the dataset represents a one-time survey, the results should be interpreted as a snapshot of population structure rather than evidence of demographic rates or population trajectories. Based on the observed size-class patterns and fragmented coastal distribution, we recommend reducing local disturbances, strengthening in situ protection of existing individuals and prioritizing research on seed biology, seedling establishment, and propagation (including assisted planting) to support future restoration and conservation planning.