CR

Pteris hivaoaensis

Declining

Overview

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

Pteris hivaoaensis faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter soil chemistry in its limited montane habitat. Habitat degradation from feral ungulates, particularly goats and pigs, has damaged the understory vegetation where this fern establishes. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and temperature shifts that could push this high-elevation species beyond its narrow ecological tolerance range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered fern is endemic to the montane forests of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. It inhabits shaded understory areas in native cloud forests at elevations between 800-1200 meters, where it grows on volcanic soils with high moisture retention.

Other threatened species in PTERIDACEAE

VU

Vittaria reekmansii

Unknown
EN

Pteris kivuensis

Unknown
CR

Pteris lidgatei

Declining
EN

Actiniopteris kornasii

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pteris hivaoaensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Pteris hivaoaensis 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. Pteris hivaoaensis faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter soil chemistry in its limited montane habitat. Habitat degradation from feral ungulates, particularly goats and pigs, has damaged the understory vegetation where this fern establishes. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and temperature shifts that could push this high-elevation species beyond its narrow ecological tolerance range.
Where does Pteris hivaoaensis live?
Pteris hivaoaensis 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 Pteris hivaoaensis?
The main threats to Pteris hivaoaensis 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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