EN

Tillandsia indigofera

Declining

Overview

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

Tillandsia indigofera faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests in its native range are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' specialized epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, as it requires specific humidity and light conditions found only in intact cloud forest canopies. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this bromeliad's survival, potentially shifting suitable habitat to higher elevations where forest cover may be limited.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic bromeliad inhabits cloud forests and montane rainforests, typically growing on tree branches and trunks in the forest canopy where it receives filtered sunlight and consistent moisture from fog and mist. The species requires the specific microclimate conditions found in these high-elevation tropical forests, including high humidity and stable temperatures.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Tillandsia indigofera classified as Endangered?
Tillandsia indigofera 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. Tillandsia indigofera faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests in its native range are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' specialized epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, as it requires specific humidity and light conditions found only in intact cloud forest canopies. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this bromeliad's survival, potentially shifting suitable habitat to higher elevations where forest cover may be limited.
Where does Tillandsia indigofera live?
Tillandsia indigofera 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 indigofera?
The main threats to Tillandsia indigofera 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.