CR

Cyathea werffii

Unknown

Overview

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

Cyathea werffii faces severe threats from deforestation and habitat conversion in its limited range within Ecuador's cloud forests. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while agricultural expansion and logging activities continue to fragment its remaining habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific moisture and temperature conditions required by this cloud forest specialist.

Threat summary

Habitat

Cyathea werffii is endemic to the cloud forests of Ecuador, typically found in humid montane environments at elevations between 1,500-2,500 meters. The species requires the consistent moisture and cool temperatures characteristic of these misty, epiphyte-rich forest ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Cyatheaceae

VU

Cyathea acutidens

Unknown
EN

Cyathea gracilis

Unknown
CR

Cyathea boconensis

Unknown
CR

Alsophila major

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cyathea werffii classified as Critically Endangered?
Cyathea werffii 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. Cyathea werffii faces severe threats from deforestation and habitat conversion in its limited range within Ecuador's cloud forests. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while agricultural expansion and logging activities continue to fragment its remaining habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific moisture and temperature conditions required by this cloud forest specialist.
Where does Cyathea werffii live?
Cyathea werffii 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 Cyathea werffii?
The main threats to Cyathea werffii 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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