Ilex puberula
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Ilex puberula faces significant pressure from habitat conversion as montane forests are cleared for agriculture and urban development across its range in southeastern Brazil. The species' restricted distribution to specific elevation zones makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, as warming temperatures may force populations to migrate upslope into increasingly limited suitable habitat. Fragmentation of remaining forest patches further isolates populations and reduces genetic diversity.
Habitat
Ilex puberula inhabits montane Atlantic Forest ecosystems in southeastern Brazil, typically occurring in cloud forests and humid mountain slopes at elevations between 800-1,800 meters. The species favors well-drained soils in areas with consistent moisture from fog and orographic precipitation.