VU

Espeletia lopezii

Unknown

Overview

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

Espeletia lopezii faces significant pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's páramo ecosystems, where livestock trampling damages the slow-growing rosette plants and compacts soils. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this high-altitude specialist to migrate upslope into increasingly limited suitable habitat. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment the already restricted páramo environments where this species occurs.

Threat summary

Habitat

Espeletia lopezii inhabits high-altitude páramo ecosystems in the Colombian Andes, typically occurring between 3,000-4,200 meters elevation. These alpine grasslands are characterized by cool temperatures, high humidity, and specialized plant communities adapted to extreme Andean conditions.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Espeletia lopezii classified as Vulnerable?
Espeletia lopezii 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 lopezii faces significant pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's páramo ecosystems, where livestock trampling damages the slow-growing rosette plants and compacts soils. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this high-altitude specialist to migrate upslope into increasingly limited suitable habitat. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment the already restricted páramo environments where this species occurs.
Where does Espeletia lopezii live?
Espeletia lopezii 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 lopezii?
The main threats to Espeletia lopezii 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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