Population Dynamics and Conservation Strategies for Echinocactus platyacanthus : A Data‐Driven Approach to Protecting an Endemic Species

Echinocactus platyacanthus is reported as a threatened species in Mexico, facing population declines due to over‐exploitation and habitat disturbance. To inform conservation strategies, we studied the population dynamics of six populations in the northern, central, and southern regions of the species' distribution 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. These differences were mainly driven by variations in environmental conditions, disturbance levels, and population structure across sites and years. Elasticity analyses revealed that the 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. Additionally, strategies to reduce depredation on seedlings and juveniles could improve population recovery by increasing recruitment success. Our findings underscore the importance of tailored local conservation strategies to safeguard this species' long‐term viability.