Eriosyce umadeave
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Eriosyce umadeave faces severe pressure from habitat destruction due to mining activities and urban expansion in its limited range in northern Chile. The species is particularly vulnerable to collection for the illegal cactus trade, as its distinctive appearance makes it highly sought after by collectors. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns in its already arid habitat, potentially pushing this specialized desert cactus beyond its tolerance limits.
Habitat
This endemic cactus inhabits rocky slopes and gravelly flats in the extremely arid coastal desert of northern Chile, typically growing on mineral-rich soils between sea level and 1,000 meters elevation. It occurs in areas receiving less than 50mm of annual rainfall, relying on coastal fog for additional moisture.
