EN

Scolosanthus howardii

Unknown

Overview

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

Scolosanthus howardii faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Puerto Rico's remaining limestone forests are cleared for development and agriculture. The species' extremely limited range makes it vulnerable to catastrophic events like hurricanes, which can devastate entire populations in a single storm. Invasive plant species compete aggressively with native vegetation, altering forest composition and reducing suitable habitat for this endemic shrub.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Puerto Rican shrub inhabits dry limestone forests and coastal scrublands, typically growing on rocky karst terrain with well-drained soils. It occurs in areas with sparse canopy cover where it can access sufficient sunlight while benefiting from the protection of surrounding native vegetation.

Rocky areas· major

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EN

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Unknown
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EN

Arachnothryx tuxtlensis

Declining

Threatened in Jamaica

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Scolosanthus howardii classified as Endangered?
Scolosanthus howardii 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. Scolosanthus howardii faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Puerto Rico's remaining limestone forests are cleared for development and agriculture. The species' extremely limited range makes it vulnerable to catastrophic events like hurricanes, which can devastate entire populations in a single storm. Invasive plant species compete aggressively with native vegetation, altering forest composition and reducing suitable habitat for this endemic shrub.
Where does Scolosanthus howardii live?
Scolosanthus howardii occurs in Jamaica. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Scolosanthus howardii?
The main threats to Scolosanthus howardii 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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