We conducted a study throughout Socotra Island (Yemen) to investigate the distribution, population structure and regeneration potential of the endemic and threatened tree species Dendrosicyos socotranus, the Cucumber Tree. In total, 163 live trees (excluding seedlings) were found in all (24) investigated locations, covering an area of 96 km². The height, stem circumference, fertility and coordinates of each tree were measured and data regarding the ecotope, land cover and natural regeneration were recorded. We estimated that there could be more than 6400 Cucumber Tree individuals among the populations on Socotra Island. The majority of the trees occur in the “high Shrubland with succulents” and “wadi” land cover classes. In general, the fertility of the trees is good, and natural regeneration occurred in 77% of the locations with adult trees; it was found that 16% of the individual trees regenerated. Our study, collecting data on the regeneration of the species and estimating the size of local populations for the first time, can be used for local conservation and future monitoring of this important, endangered Socotran endemic.

中文翻译：

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黄瓜树（Dendrosicyos socotranus Balf.f.）的分布和种群特征

我们在整个也门索科特拉岛进行了一项研究，以调查特有树种和濒危树种Dendrosicyos socotranus黄瓜树的分布，种群结构和再生潜力。在所有（24个）调查地点中，总共发现了163棵活树（不包括幼苗），覆盖面积96 km ²。测量每棵树的高度，茎周长，肥力和坐标，并记录有关生态位，土地覆盖和自然更新的数据。我们估计，索科特拉岛上的人口中可能有6400多个黄瓜树个体。大部分树木都发生在“多肉植物高灌木丛”和“沃迪”地被植物中。一般来说，树木的肥力良好，成年树木有77％发生自然更新。发现16％的单株树木再生。我们的研究首次收集了有关物种再生的数据，并估计了当地种群的数量，可用于当地保护和对该重要的，濒临灭绝的Socotran特有病的未来监测。