Carex lapazensis
CR

Carex lapazensis

Unknown

Photo: (c) David Torres, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by David Torres

Overview

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

Carex lapazensis faces severe threats from urban expansion and agricultural conversion in the high-altitude regions around La Paz, Bolivia. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and degradation from livestock grazing and infrastructure development. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures may force this cold-adapted sedge to higher elevations where suitable habitat becomes increasingly scarce.

Threat summary

Habitat

This sedge species inhabits high-altitude grasslands and páramo ecosystems in the Bolivian Andes, typically found in moist, well-drained soils at elevations above 3,500 meters. It occurs in specialized microhabitats within the cold, harsh montane environment near La Paz.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryAwareness & communications

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Carex lapazensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Carex lapazensis 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. Carex lapazensis faces severe threats from urban expansion and agricultural conversion in the high-altitude regions around La Paz, Bolivia. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and degradation from livestock grazing and infrastructure development. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures may force this cold-adapted sedge to higher elevations where suitable habitat becomes increasingly scarce.
Where does Carex lapazensis live?
Carex lapazensis occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Carex lapazensis?
The main threats to Carex lapazensis are 1.1, 11.1, 2.1, and 3.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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