Unravelling the conservation status of the genus Puya (Bromeliaceae) across the Neotropics.

Abstract

Assessments of the conservation status of species included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are crucial for prioritising global conservation action, particularly for the most threatened species. A notable example of an endangered plant group in the Neotropics is the genus Puya (Bromeliaceae), which comprises 229 species primarily distributed across the Andean region. Studies have shown that Puya species have been increasingly threatened by habitat transformation caused by human activities, including burning, agriculture, construction, quarrying, and mining. We compiled a database using information from digital sources and local herbaria across several Neotropical countries to analyse their conservation status. Using the Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool (GeoCAT) and ConR tools under the IUCN Criterion B, all Puya species were assessed. We compared these preliminary assessments with one another and with the current IUCN lists, from which only 83 species have been formally evaluated. GeoCAT classified all species into some risk category, while ConR identified 145 species at risk, 32 as non-threatened, and 52 as Data Deficient. Our findings highlight the complementary nature of both methods and the importance of integrating information from diverse sources. Moreover, they emphasise the need to prioritise botanical exploration to gather more records for species with insufficient data and to regularly update assessments in official lists and the IUCN Red List. The results confirm that Puya is a highly threatened genus, and each species, with its unique threats, requires specific conservation strategies.