CR

Panicum niihauense

Declining

Overview

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

Panicum niihauense faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete this endemic grass for resources and habitat space. Grazing pressure from introduced ungulates, particularly cattle and goats, has degraded its native grassland habitat and prevented natural regeneration. The species' extremely limited distribution on Ni'ihau Island makes it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and environmental changes.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Hawaiian grass occurs in dry to mesic grasslands and shrublands on Ni'ihau Island. It typically grows in open areas with well-drained soils at low to moderate elevations.

Marine coastal/supratidal· major

Other threatened species in POACEAE

VU

Panicum pinifolium

Unknown
VU

Eragrostis usambarensis

Unknown
VU

Cymbopogon bhutanicus

Unknown
VU

Drepanostachyum annulatum

Unknown

Threatened in United States

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
VU

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Unknown
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Panicum niihauense classified as Critically Endangered?
Panicum niihauense 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. Panicum niihauense faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete this endemic grass for resources and habitat space. Grazing pressure from introduced ungulates, particularly cattle and goats, has degraded its native grassland habitat and prevented natural regeneration. The species' extremely limited distribution on Ni'ihau Island makes it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and environmental changes.
Where does Panicum niihauense live?
Panicum niihauense 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 Panicum niihauense?
The main threats to Panicum niihauense are 4.1, 8.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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