Kadua rapensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Kadua rapensis faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter ecosystem dynamics on Rapa Iti. The species' extremely limited range makes it vulnerable to stochastic events, while habitat degradation from introduced herbivores and human activities continues to reduce suitable growing areas. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and potential sea-level rise impacts on coastal populations.
Habitat
Kadua rapensis is endemic to Rapa Iti in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia, where it inhabits coastal and lowland areas. The species grows in native shrubland and forest remnants, typically in areas with well-drained soils and partial shade.