Abstract:The habitat and natural regeneration capacity of Dracaena cambodiana Pierre ex Gagnep in Hainan Island and the extent of human damage to its wild population were investigated and analyzed, and its endangered reasons were also discussed. The results showed that D.cambodiana was a typical rock-associated plant species and mainly distributed in the high-temperature and less-rainfall regions. D. cambodiana usually grew in the gap of steep and bare limestone or granite, or in sandy loam soil alongside the rock, and its associated species were often some small trees and shrubs. Due to the unrestricted exploitation of the wild plants and the destruction of its habitats, the wild resources of D. cambodiana have been very limited. In natural conditions, there were three ways for the regeneration of D. cambodiana, including the reproduction through seeds and the sprouts from roots and stumps. However, under the existing habitats, all of them were unable to effectively enlarge their wild population. It was concluded that the original habitat destruction and the unrestricted exploitation were the external factors for the endangerment of D. cambodiana, and the failure of seed germination or seedling growth under the poor habitats was the internal and major factor causing its endangerment, both of which made the species in an endangered status.
