Micromeria forbesii
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Micromeria forbesii faces severe threats from habitat degradation due to overgrazing by livestock, particularly goats, which damage the fragile endemic plant communities of Cape Verde's mountainous regions. Urban development and infrastructure expansion on the islands further fragment its already limited habitat range. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency, which could severely impact this drought-adapted but range-restricted endemic species.
Habitat
This endemic Cape Verdean species inhabits rocky slopes, cliff faces, and mountainous terrain at elevations between 400-1,200 meters. It typically grows in semi-arid environments with sparse vegetation, often in crevices and on steep rocky outcrops where it can access limited moisture.
