Puya occidentalis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Puya occidentalis faces significant pressure from habitat conversion as high-altitude Andean grasslands are transformed for agricultural use and livestock grazing. The species' restricted range in the western Andes makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while climate change poses additional risks by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for its survival. Mining activities and infrastructure development in its montane habitat further fragment remaining populations.
Habitat
Puya occidentalis inhabits high-altitude Andean grasslands and páramo ecosystems, typically found between 3,000-4,200 meters elevation in cool, humid montane environments. The species grows in open grasslands and rocky slopes where it forms part of the distinctive high-altitude vegetation communities of the western Andes.
Other threatened species in Bromeliaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Puya occidentalis classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Puya occidentalis live?
What are the main threats to Puya occidentalis?
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