Prostrate Juniper
VU

Prostrate Juniper

Juniperus communis

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

Overview

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

Prostrate Juniper faces significant pressure from climate change, as warming temperatures force populations to retreat to higher elevations and more northern latitudes. Overgrazing by livestock and wild herbivores severely impacts regeneration, as young seedlings are particularly vulnerable to browsing damage. Urban development and recreational activities in mountainous regions fragment remaining habitat, while altered fire regimes disrupt the species' natural regeneration cycles.

Threat summary

Habitat

Prostrate Juniper occupies harsh, exposed environments including alpine and subalpine zones, rocky slopes, moorlands, and coastal cliffs across northern Europe, Asia, and North America. This low-growing shrub form of common juniper thrives in nutrient-poor soils and extreme weather conditions where few other woody species can survive.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Cupressaceae

pancher neocallitropsisEN

pancher neocallitropsis

Neocallitropsis pancheri

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Prostrate Juniper classified as Vulnerable?
Prostrate Juniper 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. Prostrate Juniper faces significant pressure from climate change, as warming temperatures force populations to retreat to higher elevations and more northern latitudes. Overgrazing by livestock and wild herbivores severely impacts regeneration, as young seedlings are particularly vulnerable to browsing damage. Urban development and recreational activities in mountainous regions fragment remaining habitat, while altered fire regimes disrupt the species' natural regeneration cycles.
Where does Prostrate Juniper live?
Prostrate Juniper 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 Prostrate Juniper?
The main threats to Prostrate Juniper 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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