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Gasteranthus ternatus

Unknown

Overview

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

Gasteranthus ternatus faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in the tropical Andes. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and crop cultivation, has eliminated much of its cloud forest habitat. The species' restricted distribution makes it extremely vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations increasingly isolated in forest fragments that may be too small to maintain viable breeding populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Gasteranthus ternatus inhabits humid montane cloud forests and elfin woodlands at elevations between 1,500-2,800 meters in the tropical Andes. The species requires the consistently moist, epiphyte-rich environments characteristic of these high-altitude forests, often growing as an epiphyte or terrestrial herb in areas with persistent fog and high humidity.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Gasteranthus ternatus classified as Endangered?
Gasteranthus ternatus 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. Gasteranthus ternatus faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in the tropical Andes. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and crop cultivation, has eliminated much of its cloud forest habitat. The species' restricted distribution makes it extremely vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations increasingly isolated in forest fragments that may be too small to maintain viable breeding populations.
Where does Gasteranthus ternatus live?
Gasteranthus ternatus occurs in Ecuador. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Gasteranthus ternatus?
The main threats to Gasteranthus ternatus 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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