EN

Chalybea occidentalis

Declining

Overview

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

Chalybea occidentalis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Mining activities and urban expansion have further fragmented its remaining cloud forest habitat, while climate change is shifting suitable elevation zones upward, reducing available habitat area. The species' restricted distribution and specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to these ongoing pressures.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits humid montane cloud forests and forest edges at elevations between 1,200-2,400 meters in the western Andes. It prefers dense, moss-covered forest with high humidity and frequent fog cover, typically found in areas with abundant epiphytic vegetation.

Other threatened species in MELASTOMATACEAE

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Brachyotum angustifolium

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Blakea steyermarkii

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Gravesia pulchra

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Blakea calycularis

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EN

Helena's Marsupial Frog

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Cavendishia macrocephala

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Cavendishia sessiliflora

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Macleania crassa

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Chalybea occidentalis classified as Endangered?
Chalybea occidentalis is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Chalybea occidentalis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Mining activities and urban expansion have further fragmented its remaining cloud forest habitat, while climate change is shifting suitable elevation zones upward, reducing available habitat area. The species' restricted distribution and specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to these ongoing pressures.
Where does Chalybea occidentalis live?
Chalybea occidentalis occurs in Colombia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Chalybea occidentalis?
The main threats to Chalybea occidentalis are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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