CR

Zollernia cowanii

Declining

Overview

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

Zollernia cowanii faces severe threats from deforestation and habitat fragmentation in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, one of the world's most endangered biomes. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, continues to reduce the species' already limited range. Urban development and infrastructure projects further fragment remaining forest patches, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity.

Threat summary

Habitat

Zollernia cowanii is endemic to the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) of southeastern Brazil, where it occurs in humid lowland and montane rainforests. The species typically grows in well-drained soils within primary forest formations, often associated with other endemic leguminous trees in this highly biodiverse but critically threatened ecosystem.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Zollernia cowanii classified as Critically Endangered?
Zollernia cowanii 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. Zollernia cowanii faces severe threats from deforestation and habitat fragmentation in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, one of the world's most endangered biomes. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, continues to reduce the species' already limited range. Urban development and infrastructure projects further fragment remaining forest patches, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity.
Where does Zollernia cowanii live?
Zollernia cowanii occurs in Brazil. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Zollernia cowanii?
The main threats to Zollernia cowanii 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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