VU

Persea microphylla

Declining

Overview

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

Persea microphylla faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and urban development throughout its limited range in Central America. Deforestation for cattle ranching and coffee plantations has fragmented its cloud forest habitat, while climate change threatens to shift suitable elevation zones beyond the species' adaptive capacity. The small, isolated populations are increasingly vulnerable to genetic bottlenecks and local extinctions.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane cloud forests and humid tropical forests at elevations between 1,200-2,400 meters. It typically grows in the understory and canopy gaps of well-preserved forest ecosystems with consistent moisture and moderate temperatures.

Other threatened species in LAURACEAE

CR

Aniba pedicellata

Unknown
EN

Ocotea kostermanniana

Declining
CR

Ocotea hypoglauca

Declining
CR

Cryptocarya subtrinervis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Persea microphylla classified as Vulnerable?
Persea microphylla 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. Persea microphylla faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and urban development throughout its limited range in Central America. Deforestation for cattle ranching and coffee plantations has fragmented its cloud forest habitat, while climate change threatens to shift suitable elevation zones beyond the species' adaptive capacity. The small, isolated populations are increasingly vulnerable to genetic bottlenecks and local extinctions.
Where does Persea microphylla live?
Persea microphylla 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 Persea microphylla?
The main threats to Persea microphylla 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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