CR

Astelia waialealae

Declining

Overview

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

Astelia waialealae faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete this endemic Hawaiian bog plant for resources and alter its specialized wetland habitat. Feral pigs cause significant damage by trampling and rooting through the fragile bog ecosystems where this species occurs. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns and temperature regimes critical to maintaining the high-elevation bog conditions this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Astelia waialealae is endemic to high-elevation bog ecosystems on Kauai, Hawaii, typically found in waterlogged, acidic soils at elevations above 1,200 meters. The species occurs in specialized montane wetlands characterized by poor drainage, high rainfall, and cool temperatures.

Conservation measures underway

Legislation

Other threatened species in ASTELIACEAE

EN

Astelia rapensis

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Astelia tovii

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Astelia argyrocomaEN

Astelia argyrocoma

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Threatened in United States

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Polyodon spathula

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Copper Shark

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Lyophyllum deliberatum

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Astelia waialealae classified as Critically Endangered?
Astelia waialealae 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. Astelia waialealae faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete this endemic Hawaiian bog plant for resources and alter its specialized wetland habitat. Feral pigs cause significant damage by trampling and rooting through the fragile bog ecosystems where this species occurs. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns and temperature regimes critical to maintaining the high-elevation bog conditions this species requires.
Where does Astelia waialealae live?
Astelia waialealae occurs in United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Astelia waialealae?
The main threats to Astelia waialealae are 11.1, 7.1, 8.1, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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