CR

Monteverdia harrisii

Unknown

Overview

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

Monteverdia harrisii faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation within its extremely limited range in Puerto Rico's montane forests. Agricultural expansion and urban development continue to reduce the remaining forest patches where this endemic shrub persists. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased storm intensity, which can damage the specialized cloud forest ecosystems this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Puerto Rican species inhabits montane wet forests and cloud forests at elevations between 600-1,000 meters. It typically grows in the understory of these humid, mist-shrouded forests where consistent moisture and filtered sunlight create ideal conditions for its survival.

Forest· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Monteverdia harrisii classified as Critically Endangered?
Monteverdia harrisii 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. Monteverdia harrisii faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation within its extremely limited range in Puerto Rico's montane forests. Agricultural expansion and urban development continue to reduce the remaining forest patches where this endemic shrub persists. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased storm intensity, which can damage the specialized cloud forest ecosystems this species requires.
Where does Monteverdia harrisii live?
Monteverdia harrisii 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 Monteverdia harrisii?
The main threats to Monteverdia harrisii 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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