EN

Cinchona nitida

Declining

Overview

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

Cinchona nitida faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its Andean cloud forest range. Historical over-harvesting for quinine extraction decimated wild populations, while ongoing habitat fragmentation isolates remaining stands. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures push suitable habitat to higher elevations, reducing available range for this temperature-sensitive species.

Threat summary

Habitat

Cinchona nitida inhabits humid montane cloud forests and elfin woodlands at elevations between 1,500-3,000 meters in the tropical Andes. The species requires consistent moisture and cool temperatures, typically growing on steep slopes with well-drained soils in areas of frequent fog and mist.

Conservation measures underway

Ex-situ conservation

Other threatened species in RUBIACEAE

EN

Palicourea brenesii

Unknown
VU

Pentagonia osaensis

Unknown
VU

Psychotria rapensis

Declining
EN

Coussarea andrei

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cinchona nitida classified as Endangered?
Cinchona nitida is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Cinchona nitida faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its Andean cloud forest range. Historical over-harvesting for quinine extraction decimated wild populations, while ongoing habitat fragmentation isolates remaining stands. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures push suitable habitat to higher elevations, reducing available range for this temperature-sensitive species.
Where does Cinchona nitida live?
Cinchona nitida 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 Cinchona nitida?
The main threats to Cinchona nitida 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.