VU

Scalesia helleri

Unknown

Overview

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

Scalesia helleri faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter ecosystem dynamics in its limited highland habitat. Habitat degradation from introduced herbivores, particularly goats and cattle, has fragmented the remaining forest patches where this endemic tree survives. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting optimal growing conditions upslope, potentially reducing the already restricted suitable habitat available to this Galápagos endemic.

Threat summary

Habitat

Scalesia helleri is endemic to the humid highland zones of Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos, typically occurring in transitional areas between the agricultural zone and the remaining native Scalesia forest. This species thrives in the misty, cloud-influenced forests at elevations where moisture levels support dense vegetation growth.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in ASTERACEAE

EN

Bidens cosmoides

Declining
VU

Piptolepis monticola

Unknown
Libanothamnus parvulusCR

Libanothamnus parvulus

Declining
EN

Gynoxys neovelutina

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Scalesia helleri classified as Vulnerable?
Scalesia helleri 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. Scalesia helleri faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter ecosystem dynamics in its limited highland habitat. Habitat degradation from introduced herbivores, particularly goats and cattle, has fragmented the remaining forest patches where this endemic tree survives. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting optimal growing conditions upslope, potentially reducing the already restricted suitable habitat available to this Galápagos endemic.
Where does Scalesia helleri live?
Scalesia helleri 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 Scalesia helleri?
The main threats to Scalesia helleri 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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