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Erythroxylum socotranum

Unknown

Overview

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

Erythroxylum socotranum faces severe pressure from overgrazing by introduced goats and cattle on Socotra Island, which prevents natural regeneration and damages existing plants. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it vulnerable to stochastic events, while climate change threatens to alter the delicate moisture balance required for survival in its highland habitat. Habitat degradation from human activities and infrastructure development further compounds these pressures on the remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic shrub occurs exclusively in the highland areas of Socotra Island, Yemen, typically growing in rocky terrain and steep slopes at elevations between 400-1,500 meters. It thrives in the island's unique semi-arid montane environment, where it depends on seasonal moisture from monsoon rains and occasional fog.

Rocky areas· major

Other threatened species in ERYTHROXYLACEAE

VU

Erythroxylum capitatum

Declining
VU

Erythroxylum clarense

Stable
VU

Erythroxylum kochummenii

Unknown
VU

Erythroxylum carthagenense

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Erythroxylum socotranum classified as Endangered?
Erythroxylum socotranum 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. Erythroxylum socotranum faces severe pressure from overgrazing by introduced goats and cattle on Socotra Island, which prevents natural regeneration and damages existing plants. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it vulnerable to stochastic events, while climate change threatens to alter the delicate moisture balance required for survival in its highland habitat. Habitat degradation from human activities and infrastructure development further compounds these pressures on the remaining populations.
Where does Erythroxylum socotranum live?
Erythroxylum socotranum 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 Erythroxylum socotranum?
The main threats to Erythroxylum socotranum 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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