CR

Carex antoniensis

Declining

Overview

Carex antoniensis is a species of grassy plants that belong to the family Cyperaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde, where it only occurs on the island of Santo Antão. It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. The specific name refers to the island of Santo Antão.

Carex antoniensis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, with small population sizes unable to withstand environmental pressures. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature regimes that could disrupt the specific wetland conditions this sedge requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Carex antoniensis inhabits specialized wetland environments, typically found in marshy areas, wet meadows, and seasonally flooded grasslands. The species requires specific hydrological conditions with consistent moisture levels and is adapted to particular soil chemistry and drainage patterns.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

Other threatened species in CYPERACEAE

Carex lapazensisCR

Carex lapazensis

Unknown
EN

Bulbostylis nemoides

Unknown
VU

Costularia baronii

Declining
VU

Costularia robusta

Declining

Threatened in Cape Verde

VU

Trindade Petrel

Pterodroma arminjoniana

Stable
VU

Desertas Petrel

Pterodroma deserta

Stable
CR

Withania chevalieri

Unknown
Blind SnailVU

Blind Snail

Cecilioides acicula

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Carex antoniensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Carex antoniensis 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. Carex antoniensis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, with small population sizes unable to withstand environmental pressures. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature regimes that could disrupt the specific wetland conditions this sedge requires.
Where does Carex antoniensis live?
Carex antoniensis occurs in Cape Verde. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Carex antoniensis?
The main threats to Carex antoniensis are 2.1, 2.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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