EN

Habenaria marquisensis

Declining

Overview

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

Habenaria marquisensis faces severe threats from habitat degradation caused by invasive plant species that alter the native forest understory where this orchid grows. The species' extremely limited range in the Marquesas Islands makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, with small population sizes offering little resilience against disturbances. Feral ungulates, particularly pigs and goats, damage the forest floor through trampling and rooting, directly destroying individual plants and degrading the specialized microhabitat conditions this orchid requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic orchid inhabits the understory of native montane forests in the Marquesas Islands, typically growing in shaded areas with rich, well-drained soils. It requires the specific microclimate conditions found in intact native forest ecosystems at higher elevations.

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

Declining
VU

Disperis galerita

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Habenaria marquisensis classified as Endangered?
Habenaria marquisensis 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. Habenaria marquisensis faces severe threats from habitat degradation caused by invasive plant species that alter the native forest understory where this orchid grows. The species' extremely limited range in the Marquesas Islands makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, with small population sizes offering little resilience against disturbances. Feral ungulates, particularly pigs and goats, damage the forest floor through trampling and rooting, directly destroying individual plants and degrading the specialized microhabitat conditions this orchid requires.
Where does Habenaria marquisensis live?
Habenaria marquisensis 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 Habenaria marquisensis?
The main threats to Habenaria marquisensis 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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