EN

Cinchona scrobiculata

Declining

Overview

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

Cinchona scrobiculata faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its Andean cloud forest range. Historical overharvesting for quinine extraction decimated wild populations, while ongoing habitat fragmentation from cattle ranching and crop cultivation continues to reduce suitable montane forest areas. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures push optimal growing conditions to higher elevations where suitable habitat becomes increasingly scarce.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits humid montane cloud forests and forest edges at elevations between 1,500-3,000 meters in the Andes. It typically grows in areas with consistent moisture and cool temperatures, often on steep slopes with well-drained soils in primary and secondary forest formations.

Conservation measures underway

Ex-situ conservation

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EN

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Cinchona scrobiculata classified as Endangered?
Cinchona scrobiculata 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 scrobiculata faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its Andean cloud forest range. Historical overharvesting for quinine extraction decimated wild populations, while ongoing habitat fragmentation from cattle ranching and crop cultivation continues to reduce suitable montane forest areas. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures push optimal growing conditions to higher elevations where suitable habitat becomes increasingly scarce.
Where does Cinchona scrobiculata live?
Cinchona scrobiculata occurs in Ecuador. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Cinchona scrobiculata?
The main threats to Cinchona scrobiculata 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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