Espeletia episcopalis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Espeletia episcopalis faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's páramo ecosystems, where livestock trampling destroys the slow-growing rosettes and compacts the specialized soils these plants require. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this high-altitude specialist toward increasingly limited mountaintop refugia. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment the already restricted páramo habitat where this endemic frailejón survives.
Habitat
Espeletia episcopalis is endemic to the high-altitude páramo ecosystems of Colombia, typically found between 3,000-4,200 meters elevation in the Cordillera Oriental. These specialized alpine environments feature unique waterlogged soils, frequent fog, and extreme temperature fluctuations that support distinctive plant communities dominated by giant rosette species.
Other threatened species in ASTERACEAE
Threatened in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Espeletia episcopalis classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Espeletia episcopalis live?
What are the main threats to Espeletia episcopalis?
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