Conservation of Atlantic Forest fragments: is the iconic brazilwood Paubrasilia echinata adequately protected in south-east Brazil?

The iconic Brazilwood tree, Paubrasilia echinata, endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Forest and listed as Endangered by the IUCN, faces significant threats from habitat loss and overexploitation. A new study identifies five genetic lineages of this species, with one—arruda-RJ—being particularly vulnerable in Rio de Janeiro due to urbanization. Researchers analyzed 164 occurrence records from 2004–2024, classifying 43 forest fragments containing the arruda-RJ lineage as high, medium, or low priority for conservation. The study highlights that most fragments are small with uneven population structures and that northern regions, with more protected areas, hold the greatest genetic diversity. It proposes targeted conservation actions for eight high-priority fragments to safeguard this lineage, aligning with global biodiversity goals.

Rosa, P., Antas, N. G., Freitas, J., Nic Lughadha, E., Fuller, T., Lira, C. F., Sá, C. F. C., Bohrer, C. B. d. A., Lewis, G. P., Dantas, H. G. R., & Lima, H. C. d. (2025). Conservation of Atlantic Forest fragments: is the iconic brazilwood Paubrasilia echinata adequately protected in south-east Brazil? Oryx, 59(6), 755–764. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605325102020