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Nierembergia espinosae

Unknown

Overview

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

Nierembergia espinosae faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in its restricted Andean range. The species' limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion, while overgrazing by cattle and sheep degrades the specialized high-altitude grassland communities where it occurs. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures may force suitable habitat to higher elevations beyond the species' current range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic plant species inhabits high-altitude grasslands and páramo ecosystems in the Andes, typically occurring between 3,000-4,000 meters elevation. It grows in specialized montane grassland communities characterized by cool temperatures, high UV exposure, and seasonal precipitation patterns.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Nierembergia espinosae classified as Endangered?
Nierembergia espinosae is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Nierembergia espinosae faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in its restricted Andean range. The species' limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion, while overgrazing by cattle and sheep degrades the specialized high-altitude grassland communities where it occurs. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures may force suitable habitat to higher elevations beyond the species' current range.
Where does Nierembergia espinosae live?
Nierembergia espinosae 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 Nierembergia espinosae?
The main threats to Nierembergia espinosae 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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