Macao SAR China

23 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

23

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

6

Highest risk

Endangered

3

Very high risk

Vulnerable

14

High risk

Declining

30%

7 species

Category Breakdown
CR 6
EN 3
VU 14
CR: 6
EN: 3
VU: 14

Critically Endangered

626%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

313%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

1461%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 23 species

Species by Group
🐦

birds

10

10 threatened

🌱

plants

6

6 threatened

🐢

reptiles

2

2 threatened

🐟

fishes

2

2 threatened

🦗

insects

2

2 threatened

🍄

fungi

1

1 threatened

Global Share

0.04%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#238

of 250 countries

Endemic Threatened

0

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

The Moluccas archipelago represents a critical component of the Wallacea biogeographical region, positioned between the Asian and Australian continental shelves. This island chain harbors exceptional endemic biodiversity, with Seram, Buru, and surrounding islands supporting unique montane forests, lowland tropical rainforests, and coastal ecosystems that evolved in isolation. The region's significance stems from its role as a stepping stone for species dispersal and evolution between major biogeographical realms.

According to IUCN Red List 2025 data, all nine assessed species in the Moluccas are threatened, indicating severe conservation challenges. The small sample size suggests significant knowledge gaps, with many species likely unassessed. Primary threats include deforestation for palm oil plantations and logging, particularly affecting Seram's montane forests and Buru's lowland areas.

Island-specific pressures include habitat fragmentation on smaller islands like Obi, invasive species introductions, and limited habitat connectivity between islands.

Mining activities, particularly nickel extraction on several islands, pose emerging threats to terrestrial ecosystems. Climate change compounds these pressures through sea-level rise affecting coastal habitats and altered precipitation patterns impacting montane forest communities. The region's conservation status reflects broader challenges facing Indonesia's eastern archipelagos, where remote locations and limited resources hamper systematic biodiversity assessment and protection efforts.

Tropical Montane ForestsLowland RainforestsCoastal ForestsCoral ReefsMangroves
Top Threats
1.Logging & wood harvesting6 species
2.Annual & perennial non-timber crops4 species
3.Housing & urban areas4 species
4.Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals4 species
5.Agricultural expansion and intensification3 species
6.Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases3 species
7.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources3 species
8.Type Unknown/Unrecorded (pollution)3 species

Protected Areas

9 areas · 6,766 km²

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Macao SAR China: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/MO

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Macao SAR China?
Macao SAR China has 23 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 6 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Macao SAR China have?
Of the 23 threatened species in Macao SAR China, 6 are Critically Endangered, 3 are Endangered, and 14 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Macao SAR China?
Among the 6 Critically Endangered species in Macao SAR China, Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Macao SAR China?
Macao SAR China has 9 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Banda Sea Islands Marine National Park, Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park, Manusela National Park, and Gunung Binaia Nature Reserve, among 5 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Macao SAR China?
The most affected groups in Macao SAR China, by number of threatened species, are birds (10), plants (6), and reptiles (2). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Macao SAR China?
The leading threats to threatened species in Macao SAR China are logging & wood harvesting, annual & perennial non-timber crops, housing & urban areas, and hunting & trapping terrestrial animals. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many of Macao SAR China's threatened species have declining populations?
7 of Macao SAR China's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Macao SAR China compare to other countries for threatened species?
Macao SAR China ranks #238 of 250 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 0.04% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Macao SAR China come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Macao SAR China profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.