Dypsis arenarum
CR

Dypsis arenarum

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysalidocarpus_arenarum

Overview

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

Dypsis arenarum faces severe threats from coastal development and sand mining activities that directly destroy its specialized littoral forest habitat. The species' extremely restricted range along Madagascar's eastern coast makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while collection pressure for the horticultural trade further reduces wild populations. Climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm intensity pose additional long-term threats to remaining coastal populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This palm species is endemic to the littoral forests and sandy coastal areas of eastern Madagascar, typically growing in well-drained sandy soils near the shoreline. It occupies a highly specialized niche in the transitional zone between coastal dunes and inland forest margins.

Marine coastal/supratidal· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Dypsis arenarum classified as Critically Endangered?
Dypsis arenarum is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Dypsis arenarum faces severe threats from coastal development and sand mining activities that directly destroy its specialized littoral forest habitat. The species' extremely restricted range along Madagascar's eastern coast makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while collection pressure for the horticultural trade further reduces wild populations. Climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm intensity pose additional long-term threats to remaining coastal populations.
Where does Dypsis arenarum live?
Dypsis arenarum occurs in Madagascar. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Dypsis arenarum?
The main threats to Dypsis arenarum are 2.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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