Quercus carmenensis

Quantitative information on the population of this species does not exist. Quercus carmenensis is known in the United States from only one collection from the Chisos Mountains, Texas; otherwise, it is known in the Sierra del Carmen region, Coahuila, Mexico where it is "of conservation concern". Although Q. carmenensis occupies a restricted range with a limited occurrence, subpopulations that have been observed are estimated to be "quite abundant" in the Sierra del Carmen region (B. Chassé pers. comm. 2015). In the Chisos Mountains on Casa Grande, a documented observation originally collected in 1982 by M. Powell, and later confirmed by K. Nixon, observed only one plant of Q. carmenensis (M. Powell pers. comm. 2015). The last known survey of Q. carmenensis took placed around 2003-2005 again on Casa Grande, only positively identifying a few individuals (J. Sirotnak pers. comm. 2015). Another subpopulation exists in the Chisos Mountains at the Laguna Meadows site. While this has been noted as a healthy subpopulation, hybridization with Q. intricata is quite prevalent. Though there have been less than a few thousand individuals observed, the viability of this subpopulation is of concern. 

Severe fragmentation is very likely, but there are not enough data currently to fully support this claim. More information is needed regarding location of and number of mature trees within subpopulations.

Quercus carmenensis occurs in protected areas both in the Big Bend National Park of the Chisos Mountains (Texas) and in the Maderas del Carmen Flora and Fauna Protected Area of the Sierra del Carmen region (Coahuila). NatureServe has categorized the global status of this species as Imperiled as of 2000.