CR

Waltheria arenicola

Unknown

Overview

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

Waltheria arenicola faces severe threats from coastal development and tourism infrastructure along Brazil's Atlantic coast, where its sandy habitat is increasingly converted for resorts and urban expansion. Sand mining operations directly destroy the specialized dune ecosystems this species requires, while trampling from recreational beach use fragments remaining populations. Climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm intensity further threaten the narrow coastal strip where this endemic shrub survives.

Threat summary

Habitat

Waltheria arenicola is endemic to sandy coastal dunes and beach margins along Brazil's Atlantic coast. This specialized shrub thrives in well-drained sandy soils of coastal restinga vegetation, typically within the immediate influence of salt spray and maritime conditions.

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Heritiera utilis

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small mallowVU

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Malva pusilla

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Dombeya acutangulaCR

Dombeya acutangula

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CR

Ayenia cajalbanensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Waltheria arenicola classified as Critically Endangered?
Waltheria arenicola 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. Waltheria arenicola faces severe threats from coastal development and tourism infrastructure along Brazil's Atlantic coast, where its sandy habitat is increasingly converted for resorts and urban expansion. Sand mining operations directly destroy the specialized dune ecosystems this species requires, while trampling from recreational beach use fragments remaining populations. Climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm intensity further threaten the narrow coastal strip where this endemic shrub survives.
Where does Waltheria arenicola live?
Waltheria arenicola occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Waltheria arenicola?
The main threats to Waltheria arenicola 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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