Brunellia cayambensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Brunellia cayambensis faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in Ecuador's montane regions, which has fragmented its cloud forest habitat. Deforestation for pastureland and crop cultivation continues to reduce the species' already limited range, while climate change threatens to shift suitable habitat zones upslope beyond the species' adaptive capacity.
Habitat
This endemic tree species inhabits cloud forests and montane humid forests in the Ecuadorian Andes, typically occurring at elevations between 2,000-3,000 meters. It requires the consistent moisture and cool temperatures characteristic of these high-altitude tropical montane ecosystems.