Chimborazoa lachnocarpa
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Chimborazoa lachnocarpa faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in Ecuador's high-altitude páramo ecosystems. The species' restricted range on volcanic slopes makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation from potato cultivation and cattle ranching. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force alpine plant communities to migrate upslope, potentially eliminating suitable habitat at the highest elevations.
Habitat
This endemic plant species inhabits high-altitude páramo grasslands and alpine scrublands on the volcanic slopes of Chimborazo and surrounding peaks in Ecuador. It typically grows at elevations between 3,800-4,500 meters in areas with well-drained soils and frequent cloud cover.