Primary saltmarsh succession on a tropical coral island in the south china sea: Human influences initiate and accelerate the process of succession

Saltmarsh represents a classic model of primary succession, yet the
processes underlying its initiation and development, especially in
response to human influences, remain poorly understood. We conducted
annual vegetation surveys on a newly formed saltmarsh in the South China
Sea and compared plant communities across tropical coral salt marshes
exposed to varying levels of human influence. We also investigated the
environmental factors and human activities shaping community compositions.
Pioneer grass species rapidly colonized the site within one year following
land reclamation, with a grass-to-shrub transition concurrently with dike
construction, indicating a clear trajectory of species establishment and
development. Land reclamation and biological invasion facilitated
the early establishment of pioneer grasses, initiating primary saltmarsh
succession. The accelerated transition to shrub-dominated communities was
likely driven by dike construction and the introduction of stress-tolerant
shrub species. Practical implication: Our results highlight the pivotal
role of human activities in both initiating and accelerating primary
saltmarsh succession. These insights are critical for informing effective
restoration and land management strategies in tropical coral saltmarsh
ecosystems.