Sophora fernandeziana
CR

Sophora fernandeziana

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) — Species of legume

Overview

Sophora fernandeziana is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, that is endemic to the Juan Fernández Islands of Chile. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Sophora fernandeziana faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter soil chemistry on Juan Fernández Islands. Introduced herbivores, particularly goats and rabbits, have caused extensive browsing damage to seedlings and mature trees, preventing natural regeneration. The species' extremely limited range on just two remote islands makes it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and environmental changes.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic tree species inhabits the native forests and woodland areas of the Juan Fernández Islands, particularly on Robinson Crusoe Island and Alejandro Selkirk Island. It grows in montane forest ecosystems at various elevations, often in areas with volcanic soils and high humidity from oceanic influences.

Rocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies reintroduction

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Sophora fernandeziana classified as Critically Endangered?
Sophora fernandeziana 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. Sophora fernandeziana faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter soil chemistry on Juan Fernández Islands. Introduced herbivores, particularly goats and rabbits, have caused extensive browsing damage to seedlings and mature trees, preventing natural regeneration. The species' extremely limited range on just two remote islands makes it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and environmental changes.
Where does Sophora fernandeziana live?
Sophora fernandeziana occurs in Chile. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sophora fernandeziana?
The main threats to Sophora fernandeziana are 8.1, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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