Conservation Implications of Population Structure and Dynamics in Medicinal Arbor Albizia odoratissima on Hainan Island, China

Albizia odoratissima Benth is a perennial evergreen tree valued for its medicinal properties and is indigenous to the mountainous regions of southwestern China. The population status of A. odoratissima has been sparsely studied. This study systematically evaluated the population structure and dynamics of A. odoratissima in the central mountainous region of Hainan Island, China, with the objective of informing the development of sustainable conservation strategies for the ecological restoration of its natural populations. Using the methodologies of population ecology, including the development of static life tables, population survival curves, population dynamics analysis, and time-series predictions, the results indicated that the populations of A. odoratissima on Hainan Island were geographically isolated into three groups. The age class distribution revealed that young, middle-aged, and mature individuals accounted for 5.73%, 74.94%, and 19.33%, respectively, suggesting a declining trend in the population. Moreover, the A. odoratissima population on Hainan Island was highly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances, with significant increases in mortality rates observed at both the juvenile and mature stages. These results were likely due to the intraspecific and interspecific competitions, as well as external factors including human-induced disturbances, climate variability, and extreme weather events, which might potentially lead to the species’ future endangerment. Based on the current status of the A. odoratissima population, we develop adaptive management and forbid anthropogenic deforestation, conserving in situ and expanding populations, protecting ex situ germplasm resources, and replanting artificially, in order to manage the long-term conservation and management of A. odoratissima.