EN

Crataegus johnstonii

Declining

Overview

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

Crataegus johnstonii faces severe population decline due to habitat conversion for agricultural development and urban expansion across its limited range in the southwestern United States. The species is particularly vulnerable to drought stress and altered fire regimes that have disrupted its natural regeneration cycles. Overgrazing by livestock has further degraded remaining habitat patches, preventing successful seedling establishment and reducing genetic diversity within already fragmented populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This rare hawthorn species inhabits dry slopes, canyon bottoms, and riparian areas in desert scrubland and oak woodland communities of the southwestern United States. It typically grows in well-drained soils along intermittent streams and rocky hillsides at elevations between 1,000-2,500 meters.

Forest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorArtificial - Terrestrial· majorShrubland· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area managementSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservation

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EN

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Sorbus degenii

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Crataegus johnstonii classified as Endangered?
Crataegus johnstonii 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. Crataegus johnstonii faces severe population decline due to habitat conversion for agricultural development and urban expansion across its limited range in the southwestern United States. The species is particularly vulnerable to drought stress and altered fire regimes that have disrupted its natural regeneration cycles. Overgrazing by livestock has further degraded remaining habitat patches, preventing successful seedling establishment and reducing genetic diversity within already fragmented populations.
Where does Crataegus johnstonii live?
Crataegus johnstonii 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 Crataegus johnstonii?
The main threats to Crataegus johnstonii 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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