EN

Hernandia mascarenensis

Unknown

Overview

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

Hernandia mascarenensis faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as native forests in Mauritius are cleared for agriculture and urban development. Invasive plant species compete aggressively with this endemic tree, altering forest composition and reducing available growing space. The species' extremely limited population size makes it vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks that could push it toward extinction.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic tree species inhabits the remaining fragments of native lowland and upland forests in Mauritius. It grows in both dry and semi-humid forest ecosystems, typically on volcanic soils at various elevations across the island.

Other threatened species in HERNANDIACEAE

VU

Gyrocarpus mocinoi

Unknown
EN

Hernandia catalpifolia

Unknown
CR

Hernandia obovata

Declining
CR

Hernandia cubensis

Declining

Threatened in Mauritius

VU

Trindade Petrel

Pterodroma arminjoniana

Stable
EN

Acropora mossambica

Declining
Humped BladderwortCR

Humped Bladderwort

Utricularia gibba

Unknown
Telfair's SkinkVU

Telfair's Skink

Leiolopisma telfairii

Increasing

Frequently asked questions

Why is Hernandia mascarenensis classified as Endangered?
Hernandia mascarenensis 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. Hernandia mascarenensis faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as native forests in Mauritius are cleared for agriculture and urban development. Invasive plant species compete aggressively with this endemic tree, altering forest composition and reducing available growing space. The species' extremely limited population size makes it vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks that could push it toward extinction.
Where does Hernandia mascarenensis live?
Hernandia mascarenensis occurs in Mauritius, and Réunion. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hernandia mascarenensis?
The main threats to Hernandia mascarenensis 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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