CR

Pandanus temehaniensis

Declining

Overview

Pandanus temehaniensis is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae. It is a tree endemic to the island of Raiatea, in the Society Islands of French Polynesia.

Pandanus temehaniensis faces severe threats from invasive plant species, particularly miconia and strawberry guava, which compete for resources and alter the native ecosystem structure. The species' extremely limited range on Tahiti's Mount Temehani makes it highly vulnerable to habitat degradation from feral pigs that damage root systems and seedlings. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures may push suitable habitat conditions beyond the species' narrow altitudinal range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic pandanus occurs exclusively in montane cloud forest on Mount Temehani, Tahiti, at elevations between 900-1,200 meters. It grows in humid, moss-covered forest understory with high rainfall and persistent cloud cover.

Other threatened species in PANDANACEAE

EN

Benstonea saint-johnii

Unknown
EN

Pandanus leuconotus

Declining
VU

Benstonea fortuita

Stable
VU

Benstonea serpentinica

Stable

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pandanus temehaniensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Pandanus temehaniensis 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. Pandanus temehaniensis faces severe threats from invasive plant species, particularly miconia and strawberry guava, which compete for resources and alter the native ecosystem structure. The species' extremely limited range on Tahiti's Mount Temehani makes it highly vulnerable to habitat degradation from feral pigs that damage root systems and seedlings. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures may push suitable habitat conditions beyond the species' narrow altitudinal range.
Where does Pandanus temehaniensis live?
Pandanus temehaniensis 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 Pandanus temehaniensis?
The main threats to Pandanus temehaniensis 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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