VU

Espeletia killipii

Unknown

Overview

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

Espeletia killipii faces significant pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's páramo ecosystems, where livestock trampling damages the slow-growing rosettes and compacts soils. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this high-altitude specialist toward increasingly limited mountaintop refugia. The species' extremely slow growth rate and limited reproductive capacity make recovery from disturbances particularly challenging.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species is endemic to the high-altitude páramo ecosystems of the Colombian Andes, typically occurring between 3,200-4,200 meters elevation. It inhabits open, treeless alpine grasslands characterized by extreme temperature fluctuations, high UV radiation, and frequent frost conditions.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Espeletia killipii classified as Vulnerable?
Espeletia killipii 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 killipii faces significant pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's páramo ecosystems, where livestock trampling damages the slow-growing rosettes and compacts soils. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this high-altitude specialist toward increasingly limited mountaintop refugia. The species' extremely slow growth rate and limited reproductive capacity make recovery from disturbances particularly challenging.
Where does Espeletia killipii live?
Espeletia killipii 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 Espeletia killipii?
The main threats to Espeletia killipii 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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