Abstract: Shrublands are widely distributed across various islands in China. As zonal vegetation in island ecosystems, they have important ecological effects, such as conserving soil and water, and protecting biodiversity. In this study, 95 sample plots were established on Haitan Island, Fujian, China, using a standard sampling method, and species composition, quantitative characteristics, and habitat information of the shrubs were recorded. Two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and redundancy analysis (RDA) were employed for the numerical classification and ordination. The results showed that: 1) The typical shrublands in the study area can be classified into two categories, one dominated by native plants and the other by exotic species, with a total of 11 alliances and 23 associations. Among them, Eurya emarginata and Dodonaea viscosa shrublands were the predominant types. 2) The RDA ordination revealed significant differences in the factors affecting the distribution of the two types of shrublands. The main environmental factors influencing native plant communities were wind speed and average annual rainfall, followed by distance from the coastline, total soil soluble salts, and available nitrogen. However, the factors affecting the distribution of naturalized or invasive plant communities remain unclear and are likely influenced by multiple factors. This study provides original data on the shrublands of Haitan Island, filling the knowledge gap and offering critical foundational information for the compilation of the Vegegraphy of China and the creation of the national vegetation map.

Key words: Haitan Island, shrub communities, numerical classification, TWINSPAN, RDA