Population dynamics and conservation strategies for Echinocactus platyacanthus: A data- driven approach to protecting an endemic species

Echinocactus platyacanthus , an endemic and threatened species in Mexico, faces population declines due to overexploitation and habitat disturbance. To inform conservation strategies, we studied the population dynamics of six populations distributed across Central Mexico using demographic data and Integral Projection Models (IPMs). Our results showed considerable variation in asymptotic growth rates (λ) across populations and years (ranging from 0.9753 to 1.0842), highlighting local differences in population performance. Elasticity analyses revealed that survival-growth kernel had the greatest contribution to population persistence (96.6–99.7%), while the fertility kernel played a minimal role (0.3–3.4%). We emphasize the need for conservation efforts to focus on protecting medium to large individuals, which contribute significantly to population growth and stability. Limited seedling recruitment suggests that measures aimed at enhancing juvenile survival and reducing predation could improve population recovery. Our findings underscore the importance of tailored local conservation strategies to safeguard this species’ long-term viability.