VU

Columnea ovatifolia

Unknown

Overview

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

Columnea ovatifolia faces significant pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in Central American cloud forests. Agricultural expansion, particularly coffee cultivation and cattle ranching, continues to reduce the specialized epiphytic habitats this species requires. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this humidity-dependent plant's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic plant inhabits humid montane cloud forests, typically growing on tree branches and trunks in the canopy layer where it benefits from consistent moisture and filtered sunlight. It occurs at elevations between 1,200-2,400 meters in specialized microhabitats that maintain high humidity levels year-round.

Other threatened species in GESNERIACEAE

EN

Streptocarpus brachynema

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EN

Streptocarpus erubescens

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VU

Pearcea cordata

Unknown
EN

Streptocarpus burundianus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Columnea ovatifolia classified as Vulnerable?
Columnea ovatifolia is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Columnea ovatifolia faces significant pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in Central American cloud forests. Agricultural expansion, particularly coffee cultivation and cattle ranching, continues to reduce the specialized epiphytic habitats this species requires. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this humidity-dependent plant's survival.
Where does Columnea ovatifolia live?
Columnea ovatifolia 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 Columnea ovatifolia?
The main threats to Columnea ovatifolia 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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