CR

Agave gypsophila

Declining

Overview

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

Agave gypsophila faces severe threats from limestone quarrying and mining activities that directly destroy its specialized gypsum soil habitat in the Chihuahuan Desert. Urban expansion and agricultural development have further fragmented the already limited populations, while climate change intensifies drought stress on this desert-adapted species. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to any habitat disturbance or environmental change.

Threat summary

Habitat

Agave gypsophila is endemic to gypsum soils and limestone outcrops in the Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico. It grows in arid scrubland and desert grassland communities at elevations between 1,000-1,500 meters, where specialized soil chemistry limits competition from other plant species.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorRocky areas· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Agave gypsophila classified as Critically Endangered?
Agave gypsophila 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. Agave gypsophila faces severe threats from limestone quarrying and mining activities that directly destroy its specialized gypsum soil habitat in the Chihuahuan Desert. Urban expansion and agricultural development have further fragmented the already limited populations, while climate change intensifies drought stress on this desert-adapted species. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to any habitat disturbance or environmental change.
Where does Agave gypsophila live?
Agave gypsophila occurs in Belgium, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, and United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Agave gypsophila?
The main threats to Agave gypsophila are 1.1, 2.1, 4.1, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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