CR

Moquilea tachirensis

Declining

Overview

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

Moquilea tachirensis faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the Venezuelan Andes, where its extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions. Agricultural expansion and infrastructure development continue to reduce the remaining cloud forest fragments that support this endemic species. The species' restricted distribution to high-elevation montane forests in Táchira state means that even small-scale habitat losses can have disproportionate impacts on the entire population.

Threat summary

Habitat

Moquilea tachirensis is endemic to cloud forests and montane humid forests in the Venezuelan Andes, specifically in Táchira state at elevations between 1,800-2,400 meters. These high-altitude ecosystems are characterized by persistent cloud cover, high humidity, and rich epiphytic vegetation that supports the species' specialized ecological requirements.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Moquilea tachirensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Moquilea tachirensis is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Moquilea tachirensis faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the Venezuelan Andes, where its extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions. Agricultural expansion and infrastructure development continue to reduce the remaining cloud forest fragments that support this endemic species. The species' restricted distribution to high-elevation montane forests in Táchira state means that even small-scale habitat losses can have disproportionate impacts on the entire population.
Where does Moquilea tachirensis live?
Moquilea tachirensis occurs in Venezuela. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Moquilea tachirensis?
The main threats to Moquilea tachirensis 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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