Hernandia nukuhivensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Hernandia nukuhivensis faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that compete for resources and alter forest composition on Nuku Hiva. Habitat degradation from introduced ungulates, particularly feral pigs and goats, damages the understory and prevents natural regeneration. The species' extremely limited range makes it vulnerable to stochastic events, while human activities including agriculture and development continue to fragment its remaining forest habitat.
Habitat
This endemic tree species inhabits humid montane forests on the volcanic slopes of Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands. It occurs in native forest remnants at elevations between 400-1,000 meters, typically in areas with high rainfall and rich volcanic soils.