Benstonea ellipsoidea

There are no known direct threats to this species. However, an analysis of the extent of occurrence (EOO) using tree loss data from Global Forest Watch (2021) showed that there had been a decline in tree cover of 11% within the EOO between 2001 and 2020. Some of this forest loss appears to have taken place at and around several of the known collection localities. The majority of intact habitat is located around the localities in South East Sulawesi and at Roroka Timbu in Central Sulawesi. Conversely, there has been extensive deforestation in South Sulawesi which has less than 30% of its total area still covered by primary forest, with the major driver of this being conversion to agricultural land (Global Forest Watch 2021). The Maros-Pangkep karst forest region in South Sulawesi is threatened by mining activities, with concession expansion taking place in surrounding areas (Duli et al. 2019). The karst is of high value for mining and quarrying due to the limestone, marble and granite deposits, placing it at risk from future mining operations.

This species has been recorded from Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park and Mangolo Nature Park (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2021). It has been recorded from Roroka Timbu which is situated close to Lore Lindu National Park. There are no ex situ collections (BGCI 2021).