Ocotea sulcata
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Ocotea sulcata faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Central American cloud forests. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while selective logging targets mature trees of the Lauraceae family for timber. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force cloud forest zones to higher elevations, potentially eliminating suitable habitat for this moisture-dependent species.
Habitat
Ocotea sulcata inhabits montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,200-2,400 meters, where persistent fog and high humidity create ideal conditions for this moisture-dependent tree species. The species typically grows in primary and well-preserved secondary forests with rich, well-drained soils and dense canopy cover.