Oreopanax velutinus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Oreopanax velutinus faces severe population decline primarily due to deforestation and habitat conversion for agricultural expansion in its limited montane range. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction, while its slow growth rate as a tree species hampers natural recovery. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific temperature and moisture conditions required in its high-altitude cloud forest habitat.
Habitat
Oreopanax velutinus inhabits montane cloud forests and humid upper elevation forests, typically occurring between 1,500-2,500 meters altitude. The species requires the consistent moisture and moderate temperatures characteristic of these high-altitude ecosystems, often growing in areas with frequent fog and cloud cover.
Other threatened species in ARALIACEAE
Threatened in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Oreopanax velutinus classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Oreopanax velutinus live?
What are the main threats to Oreopanax velutinus?
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