VU

Heliconia litana

Unknown

Overview

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

Heliconia litana faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle ranching throughout its limited range in Costa Rica's lowland forests. Deforestation for palm oil plantations and urban development has fragmented its habitat into isolated patches, reducing population connectivity. The species' specialized pollination requirements make it particularly vulnerable to ecosystem disruption, as loss of hummingbird pollinators directly impacts reproductive success.

Threat summary

Habitat

Heliconia litana inhabits the understory of lowland tropical rainforests in Costa Rica, typically found in areas with high humidity and filtered sunlight. The species requires intact forest ecosystems with diverse hummingbird communities for successful pollination and reproduction.

Other threatened species in HELICONIACEAE

VU

Heliconia fredberryana

Unknown
VU

Heliconia gaiboriana

Unknown
VU

Heliconia virginalis

Unknown
VU

Heliconia berryi

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Heliconia litana classified as Vulnerable?
Heliconia litana 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. Heliconia litana faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle ranching throughout its limited range in Costa Rica's lowland forests. Deforestation for palm oil plantations and urban development has fragmented its habitat into isolated patches, reducing population connectivity. The species' specialized pollination requirements make it particularly vulnerable to ecosystem disruption, as loss of hummingbird pollinators directly impacts reproductive success.
Where does Heliconia litana live?
Heliconia litana 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 Heliconia litana?
The main threats to Heliconia litana 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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