Dolichandrone spathacea is a species of critically endangered mangrove plants in China, which is naturally distributed in Hainan Island and Leizhou Peninsula. In order to reveal the survival potential and endangered mechanism of D. spathacea，we investigated the survival potential and spatial distribution of D. spathacea in Hainan Island. The population structure and dynamic characteristics of D. spathacea were analyzed to explore its development tendency. The results showed that only 275 D. spathacea were found in Hainan Island, only 4 populations distributed in Wenchang, Wanning and Sanya. The population of D. spathacea showed a state of overall dispersion, local concentration and piecemeal distributed. The age class structure is incomplete. Young, middle and old plants accounted for 17.45%, 65.46% and 17.09%, respectively, which belonged to the decay type. They were sensitive to external interference, and the population showed a sharp decline in the early period, but stable in the middle and late period. The high mortality rate of young individuals caused by human disturbance resulted in the low regeneration potential of the D. spathacea population, which was an important reason for its endangerment. In order to protect the germplasm resources of D. spathacea, it is necessary to strengthen the publicity and education, carry out the artificial cultivation and care of seedlings and artificial population restoration, so as to realize the scientific protection of D. spathacea.
Population structure and dynamic characteristic of the endangered plant Dolichandrone spathacea in Hainan island