VU

Tillandsia aequatorialis

Unknown

Overview

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

Tillandsia aequatorialis faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Ecuador's cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' restricted range in the Andean foothills makes it particularly vulnerable to localized deforestation, while climate change threatens to shift the moisture-dependent cloud forest zones beyond the plant's adaptive capacity. Collection for the ornamental plant trade adds additional pressure on remaining wild populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic bromeliad inhabits the humid cloud forests of Ecuador's Andean slopes, typically growing on tree branches and trunks in the misty conditions between 1,500-2,500 meters elevation. The species depends on the consistent moisture and moderate temperatures characteristic of these montane ecosystems.

Forest· major

Other threatened species in BROMELIACEAE

EN

Puya fosteriana

Unknown
EN

Puya fastuosa

Unknown
EN

Puya pratensis

Unknown
CR

Puya ramonii

Unknown

Threatened in Ecuador

VU

Diospyros esmereg

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VU

Copper Shark

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EN

Baird's Tapir

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Tillandsia aequatorialis classified as Vulnerable?
Tillandsia aequatorialis is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Tillandsia aequatorialis faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Ecuador's cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' restricted range in the Andean foothills makes it particularly vulnerable to localized deforestation, while climate change threatens to shift the moisture-dependent cloud forest zones beyond the plant's adaptive capacity. Collection for the ornamental plant trade adds additional pressure on remaining wild populations.
Where does Tillandsia aequatorialis live?
Tillandsia aequatorialis occurs in Ecuador. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Tillandsia aequatorialis?
The main threats to Tillandsia aequatorialis 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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