CR

Cyathea aemula

Unknown

Overview

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

Cyathea aemula faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range. The species is particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, which disrupts the humid microclimate conditions essential for tree fern reproduction and survival. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased temperature extremes that affect the moist forest environments this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Cyathea aemula inhabits humid montane forests and cloud forests, typically growing in shaded understory conditions with consistent moisture levels. The species requires well-drained but permanently moist soils and is often found along stream banks and in forest ravines where humidity remains high year-round.

Other threatened species in Cyatheaceae

VU

Cyathea acutidens

Unknown
EN

Cyathea gracilis

Unknown
CR

Cyathea boconensis

Unknown
CR

Alsophila major

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cyathea aemula classified as Critically Endangered?
Cyathea aemula 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. Cyathea aemula faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range. The species is particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, which disrupts the humid microclimate conditions essential for tree fern reproduction and survival. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased temperature extremes that affect the moist forest environments this species requires.
Where does Cyathea aemula live?
Cyathea aemula 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 Cyathea aemula?
The main threats to Cyathea aemula 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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