CR

Vangueriopsis shimbaensis

Declining

Overview

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

Vangueriopsis shimbaensis faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation within the Shimba Hills coastal forests of Kenya. Agricultural expansion and human settlement pressure continue to reduce the already limited forest patches where this endemic shrub survives. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to any further habitat loss or degradation.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic shrub is restricted to the coastal forests of the Shimba Hills in southeastern Kenya, occurring in remnant patches of indigenous forest. It grows in the understory of these coastal forest fragments, which are characterized by high humidity and rich soils typical of East African coastal forest ecosystems.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionEx-situ conservation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Vangueriopsis shimbaensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Vangueriopsis shimbaensis 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. Vangueriopsis shimbaensis faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation within the Shimba Hills coastal forests of Kenya. Agricultural expansion and human settlement pressure continue to reduce the already limited forest patches where this endemic shrub survives. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to any further habitat loss or degradation.
Where does Vangueriopsis shimbaensis live?
Vangueriopsis shimbaensis occurs in Kenya. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Vangueriopsis shimbaensis?
The main threats to Vangueriopsis shimbaensis 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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