VU

Croton elegans

Unknown

Overview

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

Croton elegans faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in the Caribbean. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its native dry forest ecosystems. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the delicate moisture balance required for this drought-adapted shrub.

Threat summary

Habitat

Croton elegans inhabits dry coastal forests and scrublands in the Caribbean, typically growing on limestone soils and rocky outcrops. The species thrives in areas with seasonal rainfall patterns and well-drained substrates characteristic of tropical dry forest ecosystems.

Other threatened species in EUPHORBIACEAE

CR

Paracroton sterrhopodus

Unknown
EN

Bernardia mollis

Declining
EN

Bernardia oblanceolata

Declining
VU

Mallotus macularis

Stable

Frequently asked questions

Why is Croton elegans classified as Vulnerable?
Croton elegans is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Croton elegans faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in the Caribbean. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its native dry forest ecosystems. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the delicate moisture balance required for this drought-adapted shrub.
Where does Croton elegans live?
Croton elegans 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 Croton elegans?
The main threats to Croton elegans 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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