Espeletia cabrerensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Espeletia cabrerensis faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle grazing in Colombia's páramo ecosystems, where livestock trampling damages the fragile alpine vegetation and soil structure. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this high-altitude specialist upslope into increasingly limited suitable habitat. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Cordillera Oriental further fragment the already restricted populations of this endemic frailejón.
Habitat
This species is endemic to the páramo ecosystems of Colombia's Cordillera Oriental, occurring at elevations between 3,200-4,000 meters in the high-altitude alpine grasslands and shrublands. It grows in the characteristic wet, cold, and windy conditions of the Andean páramos, often forming part of the distinctive frailejón communities that dominate these unique neotropical alpine environments.
Other threatened species in ASTERACEAE
Threatened in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Espeletia cabrerensis classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Espeletia cabrerensis live?
What are the main threats to Espeletia cabrerensis?
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