VU

Macagua

Metteniusa edulis

Unknown

Overview

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

Macagua faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its Andean range, with habitat conversion for cattle ranching and crop cultivation fragmenting remaining forest patches. Selective logging targets mature trees, reducing seed sources and disrupting forest structure essential for this canopy species. Climate change compounds these pressures by shifting suitable elevation zones upward, forcing populations into increasingly restricted mountain refugia.

Threat summary

Habitat

Macagua inhabits humid montane forests and cloud forests between 1,500-3,000 meters elevation across the northern Andes. The species requires mature forest canopy with diverse epiphyte communities and prefers areas with consistent moisture and moderate temperatures typical of Andean cloud forest ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Macagua classified as Vulnerable?
Macagua 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. Macagua faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its Andean range, with habitat conversion for cattle ranching and crop cultivation fragmenting remaining forest patches. Selective logging targets mature trees, reducing seed sources and disrupting forest structure essential for this canopy species. Climate change compounds these pressures by shifting suitable elevation zones upward, forcing populations into increasingly restricted mountain refugia.
Where does Macagua live?
Macagua 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 Macagua?
The main threats to Macagua 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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