VU

Portlandia harrisii

Unknown

Overview

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

Portlandia harrisii faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Jamaica's montane forests are cleared for agriculture and development. The species' restricted range in the Blue Mountains makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change threatens to shift suitable habitat zones upslope beyond the species' current elevational limits. Invasive plant species further degrade the understory conditions this endemic shrub requires for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Jamaican shrub inhabits the understory of montane rainforests in the Blue Mountains, typically occurring at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters. It requires the cool, humid conditions and filtered light found beneath the forest canopy of these high-elevation tropical ecosystems.

Forest· majorRocky areas· major

Other threatened species in RUBIACEAE

EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining
CR

Arachnothryx tenorioi

Unknown
VU

Aidia abeidii

Unknown
EN

Arachnothryx tuxtlensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Portlandia harrisii classified as Vulnerable?
Portlandia harrisii 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. Portlandia harrisii faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Jamaica's montane forests are cleared for agriculture and development. The species' restricted range in the Blue Mountains makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change threatens to shift suitable habitat zones upslope beyond the species' current elevational limits. Invasive plant species further degrade the understory conditions this endemic shrub requires for survival.
Where does Portlandia harrisii live?
Portlandia harrisii 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 Portlandia harrisii?
The main threats to Portlandia harrisii 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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