CR

Macrocarpaea atlantica

Declining

Overview

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

Macrocarpaea atlantica faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its restricted Atlantic Forest range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting the humid montane conditions it requires. Invasive plant species further threaten the integrity of its specialized cloud forest habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

Macrocarpaea atlantica is endemic to humid montane cloud forests in the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil. It occurs in high-elevation areas with persistent cloud cover and high humidity, typically growing in the understory of well-preserved forest fragments.

Other threatened species in GENTIANACEAE

VU

Gentianella sagasteguii

Unknown
VU

Anthocleista longifolia

Declining
VU

Fagraea oreophila

Stable
EN

Klackenbergia stricta

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Macrocarpaea atlantica classified as Critically Endangered?
Macrocarpaea atlantica 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. Macrocarpaea atlantica faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its restricted Atlantic Forest range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting the humid montane conditions it requires. Invasive plant species further threaten the integrity of its specialized cloud forest habitat.
Where does Macrocarpaea atlantica live?
Macrocarpaea atlantica occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Macrocarpaea atlantica?
The main threats to Macrocarpaea atlantica are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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