Espeletia pescana
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Espeletia pescana faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's páramo ecosystems, where livestock trampling and overgrazing degrade the specialized high-altitude grasslands this species requires. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force páramo vegetation zones upward, reducing available habitat for this cold-adapted plant. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Cordillera Oriental further fragment the limited páramo habitat where this endemic frailejón survives.
Habitat
Espeletia pescana is endemic to the páramo ecosystems of Colombia's Cordillera Oriental, inhabiting high-altitude grasslands and shrublands between 3,000-4,000 meters elevation. These cold, wet montane environments are characterized by specialized vegetation adapted to extreme temperature fluctuations and high UV radiation.
Other threatened species in ASTERACEAE
Threatened in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Espeletia pescana classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Espeletia pescana live?
What are the main threats to Espeletia pescana?
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