VU

Sapele

Entandrophragma cylindricum

Unknown

Overview

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

Entandrophragma cylindricum faces severe pressure from commercial logging operations targeting its valuable timber, which is highly prized for furniture and construction. Large-scale agricultural expansion, particularly for palm oil plantations and subsistence farming, continues to fragment and destroy its primary forest habitat across West and Central Africa. The species' slow growth rate and specific habitat requirements make population recovery extremely difficult once forests are cleared.

Threat summary

Habitat

This large canopy tree inhabits primary and secondary tropical rainforests across West and Central Africa, typically growing in well-drained soils at elevations up to 1,000 meters. It requires the humid conditions and forest structure of intact tropical forest ecosystems to successfully establish and reach maturity.

Other threatened species in MELIACEAE

EN

Astrotrichilia elliotii

Declining
CR

Aglaia unifolia

Unknown
EN

Aglaia amplexicaulis

Unknown
EN

Aglaia fragilis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sapele classified as Vulnerable?
Sapele 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. Entandrophragma cylindricum faces severe pressure from commercial logging operations targeting its valuable timber, which is highly prized for furniture and construction. Large-scale agricultural expansion, particularly for palm oil plantations and subsistence farming, continues to fragment and destroy its primary forest habitat across West and Central Africa. The species' slow growth rate and specific habitat requirements make population recovery extremely difficult once forests are cleared.
Where does Sapele live?
Sapele 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 Sapele?
The main threats to Sapele 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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