Swartzia cowanii
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Swartzia cowanii faces primary threats from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in Madagascar's eastern rainforests. Agricultural expansion, particularly slash-and-burn cultivation, continues to reduce available habitat, while selective logging targets the mature forest canopy where this species typically occurs. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the humid forest conditions this legume requires for successful reproduction.
Habitat
Swartzia cowanii inhabits the humid lowland and montane rainforests of eastern Madagascar, typically occurring in primary forest with dense canopy cover. The species shows preference for well-drained soils in areas receiving consistent rainfall throughout the year.