VU

Espeletia incana

Unknown

Overview

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

Espeletia incana faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's páramo ecosystems, where livestock trampling and browsing directly damage individual plants and alter soil composition. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this high-altitude specialist upslope into increasingly restricted habitat patches. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment the already limited páramo habitat where this species occurs.

Threat summary

Habitat

Espeletia incana is endemic to the high-altitude páramo ecosystems of the Colombian Andes, typically occurring between 3,200-4,200 meters elevation. This species inhabits open, treeless alpine grasslands characterized by extreme temperature fluctuations, high UV radiation, and specialized soils formed from volcanic activity.

Grassland· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Espeletia incana classified as Vulnerable?
Espeletia incana 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. Espeletia incana faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's páramo ecosystems, where livestock trampling and browsing directly damage individual plants and alter soil composition. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this high-altitude specialist upslope into increasingly restricted habitat patches. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment the already limited páramo habitat where this species occurs.
Where does Espeletia incana live?
Espeletia incana occurs in Colombia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Espeletia incana?
The main threats to Espeletia incana 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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