CR

Dioscorea tabatae

Declining

Overview

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

Dioscorea tabatae faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in West Africa. Deforestation for cocoa plantations and subsistence farming has eliminated much of its forest habitat, while collection pressure for traditional medicinal uses has further reduced wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered rainfall patterns affecting the species' specific moisture requirements.

Threat summary

Habitat

This climbing yam species inhabits tropical rainforest understory and forest margins in West Africa, typically growing in areas with high humidity and filtered sunlight. It requires well-drained soils and depends on forest canopy structure for climbing support.

Other threatened species in DIOSCOREACEAE

VU

Dioscorea kituiensis

Unknown
VU

Dioscorea mundii

Declining
EN

Dioscorea irodensis

Declining
VU

Dioscorea rosei

Unknown

Threatened in Japan

Acropora hemprichiiEN

Acropora hemprichii

Declining
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
Horned GrebeVU

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

Declining
EN

Montipora taiwanensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dioscorea tabatae classified as Critically Endangered?
Dioscorea tabatae 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. Dioscorea tabatae faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in West Africa. Deforestation for cocoa plantations and subsistence farming has eliminated much of its forest habitat, while collection pressure for traditional medicinal uses has further reduced wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered rainfall patterns affecting the species' specific moisture requirements.
Where does Dioscorea tabatae live?
Dioscorea tabatae occurs in Japan. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Dioscorea tabatae?
The main threats to Dioscorea tabatae are 1.1, 2.1, 4.1, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.