Copiapoa esmeraldana
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Copiapoa esmeraldana faces severe threats from illegal collection for the international succulent trade, with its distinctive appearance making it highly sought after by collectors. Mining activities in the Atacama Desert have destroyed portions of its extremely limited habitat, while coastal development and infrastructure projects continue to fragment the remaining populations. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns in this already arid environment.
Habitat
This critically endangered cactus is endemic to the coastal fog desert of northern Chile's Atacama region, specifically around Esmeralda. It inhabits rocky slopes and gravelly flats in one of Earth's most arid environments, relying on coastal fog for moisture in areas receiving virtually no rainfall.
