EN

Coussarea megistophylla

Declining

Overview

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

Coussarea megistophylla faces severe pressure from ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and crop cultivation, continues to reduce and isolate remaining forest patches where this endemic shrub occurs. Urban development and infrastructure projects further fragment the species' already restricted habitat, while logging activities target the mature forest canopy that provides essential growing conditions for this understory species.

Threat summary

Habitat

Coussarea megistophylla is endemic to the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) of southeastern Brazil, where it grows in the understory of humid montane forests. This shrub species requires the specific microclimate conditions found in mature forest environments, typically occurring at elevations between 800-1,500 meters in areas with high humidity and filtered sunlight.

Other threatened species in RUBIACEAE

EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining
CR

Arachnothryx tenorioi

Unknown
VU

Aidia abeidii

Unknown
EN

Arachnothryx tuxtlensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Coussarea megistophylla classified as Endangered?
Coussarea megistophylla 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. Coussarea megistophylla faces severe pressure from ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and crop cultivation, continues to reduce and isolate remaining forest patches where this endemic shrub occurs. Urban development and infrastructure projects further fragment the species' already restricted habitat, while logging activities target the mature forest canopy that provides essential growing conditions for this understory species.
Where does Coussarea megistophylla live?
Coussarea megistophylla 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 Coussarea megistophylla?
The main threats to Coussarea megistophylla 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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