VU

Afzelia pachyloba

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Afzelia pachyloba faces severe pressure from commercial logging operations targeting its valuable timber, which is highly prized for construction and furniture making. Habitat conversion for agricultural expansion, particularly oil palm plantations and subsistence farming, has fragmented remaining forest populations across its West and Central African range. The species' slow growth rate and limited regeneration capacity make recovery from these disturbances particularly challenging.

Threat summary

Habitat

This large canopy tree inhabits lowland tropical rainforests and semi-deciduous forests across West and Central Africa. It typically occurs in primary and mature secondary forests with well-drained soils, often forming part of the emergent canopy layer.

Forest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Other threatened species in FABACEAE

VU

Lonchocarpus crassispermus

Declining
CR

Machaerium orthocarpum

Declining
VU

Senna saeri

Declining
VU

Senna viciifolia

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Afzelia pachyloba classified as Vulnerable?
Afzelia pachyloba is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Afzelia pachyloba faces severe pressure from commercial logging operations targeting its valuable timber, which is highly prized for construction and furniture making. Habitat conversion for agricultural expansion, particularly oil palm plantations and subsistence farming, has fragmented remaining forest populations across its West and Central African range. The species' slow growth rate and limited regeneration capacity make recovery from these disturbances particularly challenging.
Where does Afzelia pachyloba live?
Afzelia pachyloba 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 Afzelia pachyloba?
The main threats to Afzelia pachyloba 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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