VU

Guzmania polycephala

Unknown

Overview

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

Guzmania polycephala faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its limited range in Central American cloud forests. The species' specialized epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as it requires mature forest canopy structure that takes decades to regenerate. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this bromeliad's survival in high-elevation ecosystems.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic bromeliad inhabits cloud forests and montane rainforests at elevations between 1,200-2,400 meters, growing on tree branches and trunks in the forest canopy. It requires consistently high humidity and frequent fog or mist typical of Central American highland ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Bromeliaceae

Puya clava-herculisVU

Puya clava-herculis

Unknown
Greigia sanctae-martaeCR

Greigia sanctae-martae

Unknown
CR

Pitcairnia similis

Unknown
EN

Greigia exserta

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Guzmania polycephala classified as Vulnerable?
Guzmania polycephala is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Guzmania polycephala faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its limited range in Central American cloud forests. The species' specialized epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as it requires mature forest canopy structure that takes decades to regenerate. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this bromeliad's survival in high-elevation ecosystems.
Where does Guzmania polycephala live?
Guzmania polycephala 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 Guzmania polycephala?
The main threats to Guzmania polycephala 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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