Styrax portoricensis
CR

Styrax portoricensis

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrax_portoricensis

Overview

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

Styrax portoricensis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat conversion throughout Puerto Rico's mountainous regions. Urban development and agricultural expansion have fragmented the remaining forest patches where this endemic tree species persists. Hurricane damage has further reduced already small populations, while the species' limited dispersal ability prevents natural recolonization of suitable habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Puerto Rican tree inhabits moist limestone forests and montane woodlands, typically growing in well-drained soils on slopes and ridges between 200-800 meters elevation. It occurs in both primary and secondary forest remnants within the island's central mountainous regions.

Forest· major

Other threatened species in STYRACACEAE

VU

Styrax sipapoanus

Stable
VU

Styrax duidae

Declining
VU

Styrax guanayanus

Stable
VU

Styrax yutajensis

Stable

Frequently asked questions

Why is Styrax portoricensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Styrax portoricensis 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. Styrax portoricensis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat conversion throughout Puerto Rico's mountainous regions. Urban development and agricultural expansion have fragmented the remaining forest patches where this endemic tree species persists. Hurricane damage has further reduced already small populations, while the species' limited dispersal ability prevents natural recolonization of suitable habitats.
Where does Styrax portoricensis live?
Styrax portoricensis 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 Styrax portoricensis?
The main threats to Styrax portoricensis 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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