Miconia pilaloensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Miconia pilaloensis faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in Ecuador's montane regions, which directly destroys its cloud forest habitat. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized deforestation and land conversion. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for cloud forest ecosystems where this endemic shrub survives.
Habitat
Miconia pilaloensis is endemic to Ecuador's cloud forests, typically found in montane humid environments between 1,800-2,500 meters elevation. The species requires the consistent moisture and fog characteristic of these high-altitude tropical ecosystems.