VU

Natal Wing-nut

Atalaya natalensis

Unknown

Overview

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

The Natal Wing-nut faces severe pressure from coastal development and urban expansion along South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal coastline, where its remaining populations are increasingly fragmented. Agricultural conversion and invasive plant species further threaten its specialized coastal forest habitat, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased storm intensity affecting these vulnerable coastal ecosystems.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Natal Wing-nut is endemic to coastal forests and forest margins along the eastern coast of South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal Province. It typically grows in well-drained soils within indigenous coastal forest patches and forest-grassland ecotones at low to moderate elevations.

Other threatened species in Sapindaceae

CR

Talisia bullata

Unknown
CR

Serjania occidentalis

Unknown
VU

Paullinia globosa

Unknown
EN

Elattostachys tetraporandrus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Natal Wing-nut classified as Vulnerable?
Natal Wing-nut is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Natal Wing-nut faces severe pressure from coastal development and urban expansion along South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal coastline, where its remaining populations are increasingly fragmented. Agricultural conversion and invasive plant species further threaten its specialized coastal forest habitat, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased storm intensity affecting these vulnerable coastal ecosystems.
Where does Natal Wing-nut live?
Natal Wing-nut 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 Natal Wing-nut?
The main threats to Natal Wing-nut 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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