Abstract

This study investigated the spatial distribution of the native halophyte Bolboschoenus planiculmis in the tidal wetlands of the Geum Estuary and analyzed its association with key hydrological factors. Based on drone imagery acquired in October 2024, a total of 1,344 patches were identified, covering a cumulative area of 13,754 m2. These patches were primarily concentrated at an average distance of 351 meters from the terrestrial embankment. While over 74% of patch centroids were located within 15 meters of tidal creeks, multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that proximity to creeks did not have a statistically significant effect on patch size (P>0.05). In contrast, average daily inundation duration (15.2-18.9 hours/day, mean 17.6 hours) showed a significant positive correlation with the formation of larger patches (odds ratio=1.75, P<0.001), suggesting that inundation regime is a key driver of patch development. The findings highlight the species’ preference for mid-to lower-intertidal zones and underscore the importance of tidal and inundation management in formulating effective conservation and restoration strategies for halophytic plant habitats in estuarine ecosystems.