Disentangling the relative influence of regeneration processes on marsh plant assembly with a stage-structured plant assembly model

• Regeneration received little attention in coastal marsh restoration projects. Stress tolerance governs plant succession at extremely stressful conditions. Dispersal and juvenile competition determine benign Seed availability determines the relative importance of dispersal competition. deserves more restoration. In salt marshes, abiotic factors, interspecific or facilitation, herbivory have been discussed extensively as important drivers distribution patterns. However, various regeneration processes across stress gradients attention, despite their explaining community dynamics. this study, we built a stage-structured assembly model to study how influence each process on dynamics varies with environmental level, stage initial seed availability, Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve China. We found higher saline conditions is mainly governed by regardless salinity can suppress biomass accumulation propagule production intolerant species. Under less high plays most role throughout succession. When low, beginning, but later outcomes. Our findings imply determining trajectories under conditions, should be given during management marshes.