Puya santanderensis
Photo: (c) Estefania Gomez Betancurt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Estefania Gomez Betancurt
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Puya santanderensis faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in Colombia's Santander region, which has destroyed much of its native páramo habitat. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment the remaining populations, while climate change threatens to shift the cool, high-altitude conditions this bromeliad requires for survival.
Habitat
This endemic bromeliad inhabits high-altitude páramo ecosystems in the Colombian Andes, typically growing on rocky slopes and grasslands between 3,000-4,000 meters elevation. It requires the cool, moist conditions characteristic of these montane environments, often forming small colonies in areas with well-drained soils and consistent cloud cover.
Other threatened species in BROMELIACEAE
Threatened in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Puya santanderensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Puya santanderensis live?
What are the main threats to Puya santanderensis?
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