Lonchocarpus aequatorialis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Lonchocarpus aequatorialis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in Ecuador's coastal and Andean foothills. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while logging pressure for timber and land clearing for cattle ranching continue to reduce remaining forest patches. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns affecting the humid forest conditions this species requires.
Habitat
This species inhabits humid tropical forests in Ecuador's coastal regions and lower Andean slopes, typically occurring in primary and secondary forest formations at elevations between 200-1,200 meters. It requires well-drained soils and consistent moisture levels characteristic of Ecuador's wet forest ecosystems.