EN

Espeletia brachyaxiantha

Declining

Overview

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

Espeletia brachyaxiantha faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's high-altitude páramo ecosystems. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to increasingly limited mountaintop refugia. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment its already restricted alpine habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits high-altitude páramo ecosystems in the Colombian Andes, typically occurring between 3,200-4,200 meters elevation. It grows in open alpine grasslands and shrublands characterized by cold temperatures, high UV radiation, and frequent freeze-thaw cycles.

Grassland· major

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EN

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Espeletia brachyaxiantha classified as Endangered?
Espeletia brachyaxiantha is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Espeletia brachyaxiantha faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's high-altitude páramo ecosystems. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to increasingly limited mountaintop refugia. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment its already restricted alpine habitat.
Where does Espeletia brachyaxiantha live?
Espeletia brachyaxiantha 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 brachyaxiantha?
The main threats to Espeletia brachyaxiantha 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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