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Puya loca

Unknown

Overview

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

Puya loca faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in its restricted Andean range. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment its already limited populations. Climate change poses an additional risk by altering the specific temperature and precipitation patterns this high-altitude bromeliad requires for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Puya loca inhabits high-altitude Andean grasslands and rocky slopes, typically found in páramo and puna ecosystems between 3,000-4,500 meters elevation. This terrestrial bromeliad grows in well-drained soils among native grasses and shrubs in areas with distinct wet and dry seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Puya loca classified as Endangered?
Puya loca 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. Puya loca faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in its restricted Andean range. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment its already limited populations. Climate change poses an additional risk by altering the specific temperature and precipitation patterns this high-altitude bromeliad requires for survival.
Where does Puya loca live?
Puya loca occurs in Colombia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Puya loca?
The main threats to Puya loca 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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