VU

Guettarda baracoensis

Stable

Overview

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

Guettarda baracoensis faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as coastal and lowland forests in eastern Cuba are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' extremely limited range around Baracoa makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its remaining forest fragments. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased hurricane intensity affecting Cuba's coastal ecosystems.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Cuban shrub inhabits humid coastal forests and semi-deciduous woodlands in the Baracoa region of eastern Cuba. It typically grows in well-drained soils on limestone substrates at low to moderate elevations, often in areas with high humidity and consistent moisture from coastal influences.

Conservation measures underway

Ex-situ conservation

Other threatened species in RUBIACEAE

EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining
CR

Arachnothryx tenorioi

Unknown
VU

Aidia abeidii

Unknown
EN

Arachnothryx tuxtlensis

Declining

Threatened in Cuba

VU

Tropical Pine

Pinus tropicalis

Declining
Oriente Yellow-mottled FrogVU

Oriente Yellow-mottled Frog

Eleutherodactylus ricordii

Declining
EN

Aristolochia clementis

Unknown
VU

Bauhinia dipetala

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Guettarda baracoensis classified as Vulnerable?
Guettarda baracoensis 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. Guettarda baracoensis faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as coastal and lowland forests in eastern Cuba are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' extremely limited range around Baracoa makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its remaining forest fragments. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased hurricane intensity affecting Cuba's coastal ecosystems.
Where does Guettarda baracoensis live?
Guettarda baracoensis occurs in Cuba. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Guettarda baracoensis?
The main threats to Guettarda baracoensis 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.