CR

Gnaphalium sodiroi

Declining

Overview

Pseudognaphalium gaudichaudianum, synonyms including Gnaphalium imbaburense and Gnaphalium sodiroi, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is widely distributed in South America, from Colombia in the north to southern Argentina.

Gnaphalium sodiroi faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in Ecuador's high-altitude páramo ecosystems. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion, while climate change poses additional risks by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions of its montane environment. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Andes further fragment the limited suitable habitat remaining for this endemic plant.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Ecuadorian species inhabits high-altitude páramo grasslands and montane shrublands between 3,000-4,200 meters elevation in the Andes. It typically grows in moist, well-drained soils among tussock grasses and cushion plants in these specialized alpine ecosystems.

Forest· major

Other threatened species in ASTERACEAE

EN

Bidens cosmoides

Declining
VU

Piptolepis monticola

Unknown
Libanothamnus parvulusCR

Libanothamnus parvulus

Declining
EN

Gynoxys neovelutina

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Gnaphalium sodiroi classified as Critically Endangered?
Gnaphalium sodiroi is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Gnaphalium sodiroi faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in Ecuador's high-altitude páramo ecosystems. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion, while climate change poses additional risks by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions of its montane environment. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Andes further fragment the limited suitable habitat remaining for this endemic plant.
Where does Gnaphalium sodiroi live?
Gnaphalium sodiroi 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 Gnaphalium sodiroi?
The main threats to Gnaphalium sodiroi are 5.3, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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