Anthropogenic drivers of small island effects in urban remnant woody plants

This research explores the influence of the Small Island Effect (SIE) in urban remnant vegetation patches in Qingdao, China, with a focus on how this phenomenon varies between woody plants (trees and shrubs) and herbaceous plants. We identified area thresholds for SIE and analyzed the driving environmental factors behind it.Specifically, we detected the SIE in woody plants, with distinct area thresholds for shrubs (11.91 ha) and trees (6.38 ha), but no such effect for herbaceous plants. Our results also highlight key differences in the drivers of SIE between shrubs and trees, which could inform more effective, species-specific conservation strategies. The practical implications of our research underscore the need for targeted efforts to enhance ecological resilience and preserve biodiversity in fragmented urban landscapes.