EN

Cariniana legalis

Declining

Overview

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

Cariniana legalis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive logging for its highly valued timber, which is prized for construction and furniture making. The species has experienced dramatic habitat loss throughout the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, with deforestation reducing its range by over 80% in recent decades. Additional pressures include agricultural expansion for cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, which fragments remaining forest patches and isolates surviving populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Cariniana legalis is endemic to the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) of southeastern Brazil, where it grows in humid lowland and montane forests. The species typically occurs in primary and well-developed secondary forests at elevations up to 1,000 meters, preferring well-drained soils in areas with high annual rainfall.

Other threatened species in LECYTHIDACEAE

CR

Gustavia erythrocarpa

Declining
VU

Eschweilera macrocarpa

Unknown
EN

Gustavia parviflora

Unknown
EN

Rhaptopetalum evrardii

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cariniana legalis classified as Endangered?
Cariniana legalis is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Cariniana legalis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive logging for its highly valued timber, which is prized for construction and furniture making. The species has experienced dramatic habitat loss throughout the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, with deforestation reducing its range by over 80% in recent decades. Additional pressures include agricultural expansion for cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, which fragments remaining forest patches and isolates surviving populations.
Where does Cariniana legalis live?
Cariniana legalis 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 Cariniana legalis?
The main threats to Cariniana legalis 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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