Altensteinia longispicata

Habitat destruction and illegal extraction are a particular threat to Peruvian orchids (Roque and León 2006). The situation is aggravated by the pilfering of wild orchids, supplying nurseries in Piura, Amazonas, San Martín, Huánuco, Loreto, Junín and Lima (Collantes 2008) and the development of tourist infrastructure and from uncontrolled tourist numbers (McDermott 2007).

One area blighted by tourists is the 88 km Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Christenson 2003). Altenstenia sp. have been recorded in this area, including A. longispicata previously collected at Cuzco. Other threats listed as affecting Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve include, mining, tourism, waste, slash-and-burn agriculture, recreation, destruction of archaeological sites, and deforestation.

It is possible that other populations could be found in neighbouring protected areas, such as Abiseo and Manu National Parks. According to GIS data, the species can also be found close to the 221,268 ha Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve, and the 18,000 ha Tingo Maria National Park in Huanuco, province of Leoncio Prado. This species was previously assessed as VU B1ab(iii) by Roque and León (2006).