VU

Masdevallia nivea

Unknown

Overview

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

Masdevallia nivea faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests in its native range are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while illegal collection for the international orchid trade continues to deplete wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for this high-altitude orchid's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This orchid species inhabits cool, humid cloud forests at elevations between 2,000-3,000 meters in the Andean mountains. It grows as an epiphyte on moss-covered tree branches and rocks in areas with consistent moisture and filtered sunlight.

Other threatened species in Orchidaceae

CR

Benthamia nigrovaginata

Unknown
Dark-red HelleborineCR

Dark-red Helleborine

Epipactis atrorubens

Unknown
CR

Broughtonia cubensis

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CR

Huntleya apiculata

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Masdevallia nivea classified as Vulnerable?
Masdevallia nivea 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. Masdevallia nivea faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests in its native range are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while illegal collection for the international orchid trade continues to deplete wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for this high-altitude orchid's survival.
Where does Masdevallia nivea live?
Masdevallia nivea 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 Masdevallia nivea?
The main threats to Masdevallia nivea 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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