CR

Acalypha ecuadorica

Unknown

Overview

Acalypha ecuadorica is a species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.

Acalypha ecuadorica faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its extremely limited range in western Ecuador. The species' restriction to lowland wet forests makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion for palm oil plantations and cattle ranching. Urban development pressure from expanding coastal cities further fragments the remaining forest patches where this endemic shrub persists.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Ecuadorian shrub inhabits lowland wet forests and forest edges in the coastal regions of western Ecuador. It typically grows in humid tropical forests at elevations below 500 meters, often in areas with high rainfall and rich, well-drained soils.

Other threatened species in EUPHORBIACEAE

CR

Paracroton sterrhopodus

Unknown
EN

Bernardia mollis

Declining
EN

Bernardia oblanceolata

Declining
VU

Mallotus macularis

Stable

Frequently asked questions

Why is Acalypha ecuadorica classified as Critically Endangered?
Acalypha ecuadorica is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Acalypha ecuadorica faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its extremely limited range in western Ecuador. The species' restriction to lowland wet forests makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion for palm oil plantations and cattle ranching. Urban development pressure from expanding coastal cities further fragments the remaining forest patches where this endemic shrub persists.
Where does Acalypha ecuadorica live?
Acalypha ecuadorica occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Acalypha ecuadorica?
The main threats to Acalypha ecuadorica are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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