Tahina Palm
CR

Tahina Palm

Tahina spectabilis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahina_spectabilis

Overview

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

Tahina spectabilis faces severe threats from slash-and-burn agriculture and charcoal production that destroy its native rainforest habitat in northwestern Madagascar. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to local habitat destruction, while its slow growth rate and monocarpic flowering pattern (dying after a single reproductive event) severely limit population recovery potential. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the humid forest conditions this palm requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Tahina spectabilis occurs exclusively in humid lowland rainforests of the Analalava district in northwestern Madagascar. The species requires the specific microclimate conditions of intact primary forest, growing in areas with consistent moisture and protection from direct sunlight.

Rocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Tahina Palm classified as Critically Endangered?
Tahina Palm 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. Tahina spectabilis faces severe threats from slash-and-burn agriculture and charcoal production that destroy its native rainforest habitat in northwestern Madagascar. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to local habitat destruction, while its slow growth rate and monocarpic flowering pattern (dying after a single reproductive event) severely limit population recovery potential. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the humid forest conditions this palm requires.
Where does Tahina Palm live?
Tahina Palm occurs in Madagascar. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Tahina Palm?
The main threats to Tahina Palm are 2.3, 7.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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