Lantana pastazensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Lantana pastazensis faces significant pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in Ecuador's Pastaza province, where its montane forest habitat is being converted for productive land use. Deforestation and habitat fragmentation have reduced the species' already limited range, while invasive plant species compete for resources in disturbed areas. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and human activities.
Habitat
This species inhabits montane cloud forests and humid subtropical forests in the eastern Andean slopes of Ecuador, typically at elevations between 1,000-2,000 meters. It grows in areas with high humidity and consistent moisture, often along forest edges and in secondary growth areas within its native range.