VU

Ilex mathewsii

Unknown

Overview

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

Ilex mathewsii faces significant pressure from habitat conversion as cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching throughout its Andean range. The species' restricted distribution across fragmented montane ecosystems makes populations particularly vulnerable to localized deforestation events. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force suitable habitat zones to shift upslope, potentially reducing available growing areas for this elevation-dependent holly.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ilex mathewsii inhabits cloud forests and humid montane woodlands in the Andes, typically occurring at elevations between 1,500-3,000 meters. The species thrives in the moist, fog-shrouded environments characteristic of these high-altitude ecosystems, often growing as an understory shrub or small tree in mixed temperate forests.

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 mathewsii classified as Vulnerable?
Ilex mathewsii is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Ilex mathewsii faces significant pressure from habitat conversion as cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching throughout its Andean range. The species' restricted distribution across fragmented montane ecosystems makes populations particularly vulnerable to localized deforestation events. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force suitable habitat zones to shift upslope, potentially reducing available growing areas for this elevation-dependent holly.
Where does Ilex mathewsii live?
Ilex mathewsii 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 mathewsii?
The main threats to Ilex mathewsii 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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