4.3 Conservation and Management Strategies
The findings of this study hold significant implications for the conservation and management of critically endangered C. hainanense populations within fragmented habitats in Hainan. Based on the observed patterns of genetic diversity, population structure, and inbreeding, the following conservation and management strategies are recommended:
  1. Habitat protection and restoration: Prioritize the preservation of existing habitats and restore degraded areas to improve habitat quality and connectivity. Enhancing connectivity between fragmented habitats will facilitate gene flow among C. hainanense populations, promoting genetic diversity and reducing the risk of inbreeding.
  2. Assisted gene flow and population augmentation: Introduce individuals from genetically diverse populations into small, isolated populations to increase genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding. This approach should be undertaken cautiously, considering potential ecological and genetic risks, such as outbreeding depression and disruption of local adaptations.
  3. In-situ conservation: Efforts to protect the natural habitats ofC. hainanense should be prioritized. This includes maintaining or establishing protected areas, enforcing regulations to prevent habitat destruction, and promoting sustainable land use practices.
  4. Ex situ conservation: Establish ex situ conservation programs, such as seed banks and living collections in botanical gardens, to preserve the genetic diversity of C. hainanense. These efforts can serve as a genetic reservoir for potential reintroduction or population augmentation initiatives in the future.
  5. Monitoring and adaptive management: Implement long-term monitoring programs to track changes in genetic diversity, population structure, and habitat conditions. Utilize the collected data to inform adaptive management strategies, ensuring the conservation efforts remain effective and responsive to emerging threats or changing circumstances.
  6. Community engagement and education: Involve local communities in conservation efforts by raising awareness about the importance of preserving C. hainanense and its habitat. Promote sustainable land use practices and develop community-based conservation initiatives to empower local stakeholders in the protection and restoration of the species’ habitat.
  7. Legal protection and policy development: Strengthen the legal protection status of C. hainanense and its habitat by incorporating the species into national and regional conservation plans. Develop and enforce policies that minimize habitat destruction, such as regulating land-use change, deforestation, and infrastructure development within the species’ range.
  8. Collaborative research and information sharing: Foster collaboration among researchers, conservation practitioners, and policymakers to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, data, and best practices in the conservation of C. hainanense. Encourage interdisciplinary research that integrates genetics, ecology, and social science to develop comprehensive conservation strategies.
  9. Climate change adaptation: Consider the potential impacts of climate change on C. hainanense populations and their habitats. Develop proactive conservation measures that enhance the species’ resilience to climate change, such as assisted migration, habitat restoration in areas with suitable future climatic conditions, and incorporation of climate change projections into spatial conservation planning.
By implementing these conservation and management strategies, we can contribute to the preservation and restoration of the critically endangered C. hainanense and its fragmented habitats in Hainan, while also informing efforts to protect other endangered plant species facing similar challenges.