CR

Ilex machilifolia

Unknown

Overview

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

Ilex machilifolia faces severe population decline due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion within its restricted range in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while selective logging targets the mature forest canopy where this holly species thrives. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the humid microclimate conditions essential for its survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered holly species is endemic to the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) of southeastern Brazil, where it inhabits humid montane forests at elevations between 800-1,500 meters. It requires the dense canopy cover and consistent moisture levels characteristic of primary Atlantic Forest remnants.

Other threatened species in AQUIFOLIACEAE

CR

Ilex dimorphophylla

Declining
EN

Ilex condensata

Declining
VU

Ilex pseudoebenacea

Unknown
EN

Ilex subrotundifolia

Stable

Frequently asked questions

Why is Ilex machilifolia classified as Critically Endangered?
Ilex machilifolia 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. Ilex machilifolia faces severe population decline due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion within its restricted range in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while selective logging targets the mature forest canopy where this holly species thrives. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the humid microclimate conditions essential for its survival.
Where does Ilex machilifolia live?
Ilex machilifolia 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 Ilex machilifolia?
The main threats to Ilex machilifolia 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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