CR

Andropogon benthamianus

Unknown

Overview

Andropogon benthamianus is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. It is found only in Ecuador, where it is known from only a single collection. It has been listed as critically endangered, and is feared extinct today.

Andropogon benthamianus faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat conversion for agricultural development and urban expansion across its limited range. Overgrazing by livestock has degraded remaining grassland habitats, while altered fire regimes have disrupted the natural burning cycles essential for this grass species' regeneration. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats and environmental changes.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered grass species inhabits specialized grassland and savanna ecosystems, typically occurring in areas with specific soil conditions and natural fire cycles. It requires open, well-drained habitats with minimal canopy cover and periodic disturbance regimes that maintain grassland structure.

Other threatened species in POACEAE

VU

Panicum pinifolium

Unknown
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Eragrostis usambarensis

Unknown
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Cymbopogon bhutanicus

Unknown
VU

Drepanostachyum annulatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Andropogon benthamianus classified as Critically Endangered?
Andropogon benthamianus 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. Andropogon benthamianus faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat conversion for agricultural development and urban expansion across its limited range. Overgrazing by livestock has degraded remaining grassland habitats, while altered fire regimes have disrupted the natural burning cycles essential for this grass species' regeneration. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats and environmental changes.
Where does Andropogon benthamianus live?
Andropogon benthamianus 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 Andropogon benthamianus?
The main threats to Andropogon benthamianus 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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