EN

Ocotea odorata

Declining

Overview

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

Ocotea odorata faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its Caribbean range, particularly in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic where urban development and agricultural expansion have eliminated much of its native forest habitat. The species is further threatened by its extremely limited population size and restricted distribution, making it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks. Climate change poses an additional long-term threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased hurricane intensity in the Caribbean region.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ocotea odorata inhabits moist tropical forests and cloud forests in mountainous regions of the Caribbean, typically occurring at elevations between 300-900 meters. The species requires well-drained soils and high humidity levels characteristic of undisturbed primary and mature secondary forests.

Other threatened species in LAURACEAE

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Cryptocarya subtrinervis

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EN

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Ocotea odorata classified as Endangered?
Ocotea odorata is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Ocotea odorata faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its Caribbean range, particularly in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic where urban development and agricultural expansion have eliminated much of its native forest habitat. The species is further threatened by its extremely limited population size and restricted distribution, making it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks. Climate change poses an additional long-term threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased hurricane intensity in the Caribbean region.
Where does Ocotea odorata live?
Ocotea odorata 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 Ocotea odorata?
The main threats to Ocotea odorata 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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