CR

Quercus monnula

Unknown

Overview

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

Quercus monnula faces severe population decline due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in Mexico's cloud forest regions. The species is particularly vulnerable to climate change as rising temperatures force its optimal habitat zone to higher elevations, while logging operations continue to fragment the remaining forest patches. Urban expansion and cattle ranching have eliminated much of its historical lowland habitat, leaving only scattered populations in increasingly isolated mountain refugia.

Threat summary

Habitat

This oak species inhabits montane cloud forests and humid pine-oak forests at elevations between 1,200-2,400 meters in the Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico. It requires consistent moisture from fog and cloud cover, typically growing on steep slopes with well-drained volcanic soils in association with other endemic oak species.

Conservation measures underway

Ex-situ conservation

Other threatened species in FAGACEAE

CR

Lithocarpus rufus

Declining
CR

Lithocarpus quangnamensis

Declining
CR

Lithocarpus eriobotryifolius

Declining
CR

Lithocarpus loratifolius

Declining

Threatened in China

VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Golden Vietnamese Cypress

Xanthocyparis vietnamensis

Declining
VU

Dragon Spruce

Picea asperata

Declining
VU

Likiang Spruce

Picea likiangensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Quercus monnula classified as Critically Endangered?
Quercus monnula 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. Quercus monnula faces severe population decline due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in Mexico's cloud forest regions. The species is particularly vulnerable to climate change as rising temperatures force its optimal habitat zone to higher elevations, while logging operations continue to fragment the remaining forest patches. Urban expansion and cattle ranching have eliminated much of its historical lowland habitat, leaving only scattered populations in increasingly isolated mountain refugia.
Where does Quercus monnula live?
Quercus monnula occurs in China. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Quercus monnula?
The main threats to Quercus monnula are 1.1, 2.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.