Objectives The Yushania leigongshanensis community experienced a large-scale post-flowering dieback in 2018, which increased the risk of forest fires, the probability of invasive species encroachment and the incidence of pests and diseases. Consequently, the area was classified as ecologically vulnerable area. It is imperative that long-term monitoring of the community should be urgently needed to elucidate the post-dieback regeneration dynamics of the Yushania leigongshanensis community.

Methods The study established six 10 m × 10 m plots on the summit of Leigong Mountain in the Guizhou Leigong Mountain National Nature Reserve. The vascular plants within the plots were monitored once each May from 2021 to 2023. The analytical approaches that were employed included the following: importance value, α-diversity indices, variance ratio (VR), Spearman rank correlation and M. Godron stability assessment.

Results The results demonstrated that: (1) By 2023, the population of Yushania leigongshanensis had grown by 1282 individuals compared to 2021, with an increase of 12.83% in importance value, thus establishing itself as the dominant species. The Asteraceae and Rosaceae families successively became the dominant families, and the community species composition remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease in α-diversity indices. (2) The variance ratio (VR) analysis and Spearman rank correlation test revealed significant negative associations within the community overall, with an increase in the number of negatively correlated species pairs. A significant negative correlation was observed between Yushania leigongshanensis and Carex decipiens in 2023. (3) The M. Godron stability assessment indicated that the community was currently experiencing an unstable phase, with a stability ranking of 2023 > 2022 > 2021.

Conclusions The stability of the Yushania leigongshanensis community exhibited an annual increase from 2021 to 2023. The rapid growth of Yushania leigongshanensis was evident; however, the community remained in an initial, unstable regeneration phrase, primarily driven by interspecific competition. Therefore, the selective and scientific removal of highly competitive species to create canopy gaps may foster community regeneration and provide a theoretical basis for the ecological restoration of this region.