Open Access

ARTICLE

Survival Status and Trend Prediction of the Endangered Plant Cupressus gigantea Populations in Tibet Plateau

Manzhu Liao¹, Lan Yang¹, Liehua Tie¹, Qiqiang Guo^1,*, Weilie Zheng^2,*, Jiangrong Li², Yongxia Li²

1 Institute for Forest Resources & Environment of Guizhou/Guizhou Key Laboratory of Forest Cultivation in Plateau Mountain/College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
2 Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi, Tibet, 860000, China

* Corresponding Authors: Qiqiang Guo. Email: ; Weilie Zheng. Email:

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2025, 94(11), 3633-3652. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2025.072725

Received 02 September 2025; Accepted 31 October 2025; Issue published 01 December 2025

Abstract

Cupressus gigantea is an endemic endangered tree species in the Tibet Plateau, and studying the survival status of the different C. gigantea populations and revealing the main environmental factors that affect the population survival are particularly significant for the conservation and sustainable development of endangered species. Based on the 28 sample plots, the Hierarchical Cluster Method was used to classify the C. gigantea populations into four community types. Age structure diagrams were drawn based on the structure of each community, static life tables and survival curves were compiled, and the future development trends of each age group in each population were predicted. Additionally, principal component analysis was used to preliminarily explore the mutual relationship between C. gigantea populations and the environment. The results indicated that C. gigantea is the primary dominant species in the four populations, and their survival curves generally conform to the Deevey-III. This is characterized by high mortality rates among the young and middle-aged individuals, as well as the insufficient replenishment of young individuals, and a severe shortage of elderly individuals. Specifically, generational gaps frequently occur within populations. As time goes on, ageing will become increasingly severe. Furthermore, soil organic matter, thickness, and moisture contents, and altitude significantly influence the growth and expansion of C. gigantea populations. This study suggests that timely replanting and transplanting of young trees should be carried out for Population A, while management and protection of Populations B and C should be strengthened to prevent further decline of middle-aged and older individuals. Appropriate transplantation should be conducted for individuals of Population D growing at extremely high and low altitudes. Additionally, protection of C. gigantea individuals (especially juvenile-stage individuals) and their native habitats should be strengthened. Research on germplasm resources and cultivation management techniques should be intensified to enhance the stress tolerance of C. gigantea, thereby alleviating the generational gap phenomenon across all populations, and to promote population renewal and expansion.

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