EN

Viola cuicochensis

Unknown

Overview

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

Viola cuicochensis faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in its restricted Andean range. The species' limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion, while overgrazing by cattle and sheep degrades the specialized high-altitude grassland communities where it occurs. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures may force this cold-adapted violet to retreat to increasingly smaller areas of suitable habitat at higher elevations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic violet inhabits high-altitude páramo grasslands and alpine meadows in the Andes of Ecuador, typically occurring between 3,200-4,000 meters elevation. It grows in moist, well-drained soils among native bunch grasses and cushion plants in these specialized montane ecosystems.

Other threatened species in VIOLACEAE

EN

Viola kermesina

Unknown
VU

Pombalia phyllanthoides

Declining
CR

Rinorea ituriensis

Unknown
VU

Allexis zygomorpha

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Viola cuicochensis classified as Endangered?
Viola cuicochensis 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. Viola cuicochensis faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in its restricted Andean range. The species' limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion, while overgrazing by cattle and sheep degrades the specialized high-altitude grassland communities where it occurs. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures may force this cold-adapted violet to retreat to increasingly smaller areas of suitable habitat at higher elevations.
Where does Viola cuicochensis live?
Viola cuicochensis occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Viola cuicochensis?
The main threats to Viola cuicochensis 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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