CR

Costus barbatus

Declining

Overview

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

Costus barbatus faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion of its native Atlantic Forest habitat in Brazil. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction, while collection pressure for ornamental and medicinal purposes has further reduced wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the humid microclimate conditions essential for this moisture-dependent understory species.

Threat summary

Habitat

Costus barbatus is endemic to the humid understory of Atlantic Forest remnants in southeastern Brazil, typically occurring in shaded areas with high moisture levels and rich organic soils. The species requires specific microclimate conditions found in mature forest fragments, making it highly sensitive to habitat fragmentation and edge effects.

Forest· majorArtificial - Terrestrial· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Costus barbatus classified as Critically Endangered?
Costus barbatus 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. Costus barbatus faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion of its native Atlantic Forest habitat in Brazil. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction, while collection pressure for ornamental and medicinal purposes has further reduced wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the humid microclimate conditions essential for this moisture-dependent understory species.
Where does Costus barbatus live?
Costus barbatus occurs in Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, 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 Costus barbatus?
The main threats to Costus barbatus are 12.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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