Asterogyne yaracuyense
CR

Asterogyne yaracuyense

Declining

Photo: (c) Miguel Angel Torres Vargas, all rights reserved, uploaded by Miguel Angel Torres Vargas

Overview

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

Asterogyne yaracuyense faces severe threats from deforestation and agricultural expansion within its extremely limited range in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. The species' restricted distribution to montane cloud forests makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as these ecosystems are increasingly converted for coffee cultivation and cattle ranching. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for cloud forest persistence at higher elevations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This palm species is endemic to montane cloud forests in Venezuela's Yaracuy state, typically occurring at elevations between 1,200-1,800 meters. It inhabits the understory of these moisture-rich forests where persistent cloud cover creates the humid microclimate essential for its survival.

Conservation measures underway

Ex-situ conservation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Asterogyne yaracuyense classified as Critically Endangered?
Asterogyne yaracuyense 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. Asterogyne yaracuyense faces severe threats from deforestation and agricultural expansion within its extremely limited range in Venezuela's Yaracuy state. The species' restricted distribution to montane cloud forests makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as these ecosystems are increasingly converted for coffee cultivation and cattle ranching. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for cloud forest persistence at higher elevations.
Where does Asterogyne yaracuyense live?
Asterogyne yaracuyense occurs in Venezuela. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Asterogyne yaracuyense?
The main threats to Asterogyne yaracuyense are 5.3, 7.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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