CR

Sphagnum santanderense

Unknown

Overview

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

Sphagnum santanderense faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in the Colombian Andes. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further fragmented its already limited bog habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific moisture and temperature conditions required for this specialized moss species to survive.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered moss species is endemic to high-altitude peat bogs and wetland areas in the Santander region of Colombia. It requires specific acidic, waterlogged conditions typical of Andean páramo ecosystems at elevations between 2,500-3,500 meters.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sphagnum santanderense classified as Critically Endangered?
Sphagnum santanderense is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Sphagnum santanderense faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in the Colombian Andes. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further fragmented its already limited bog habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific moisture and temperature conditions required for this specialized moss species to survive.
Where does Sphagnum santanderense live?
Sphagnum santanderense 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 Sphagnum santanderense?
The main threats to Sphagnum santanderense are 2.1, 3.2, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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