Diospyros esmereg
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Diospyros esmereg faces significant pressure from deforestation and habitat conversion in its limited range within Ecuador's coastal forests. Agricultural expansion, particularly for palm oil plantations and cattle ranching, has fragmented the remaining forest patches where this endemic ebony species occurs. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction, while selective logging for valuable timber compounds the threats to remaining populations.
Habitat
This species is endemic to the humid lowland and premontane forests of coastal Ecuador, typically occurring in primary and secondary forest formations at elevations up to 800 meters. It grows in well-drained soils within the highly biodiverse Chocó-Darién ecoregion.
