Handroanthus spongiosus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Handroanthus spongiosus faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its native range in South America's Atlantic Forest and Cerrado regions. The species is particularly vulnerable to selective logging pressure as its valuable timber makes it a target for commercial exploitation. Agricultural expansion, especially cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, continues to reduce available habitat, while the species' slow growth rate and specific soil requirements limit its ability to recover in degraded areas.
Habitat
This species inhabits tropical dry forests, gallery forests, and woodland savannas of the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes, typically growing on well-drained soils at elevations up to 1,200 meters. It shows preference for areas with distinct wet and dry seasons, often found along forest edges and in semi-deciduous forest formations.