Billbergia brasiliensis

Billbergia brasiliensis is at risk from numerous threats throughout its extent of occurrence whereby land-use change and habitat loss are the primary threats to this species. Six locations have been identified for this species and deforestation alongside, legal and illegal burning events pose the greatest risk to this species (Autoridad de Fiscalización y Control Social de Bosques y Tierra 2017). Deforestation within its extent of occurrence has occurred between 2000–2010 and frequent stochastic burning events have occurred more recently between 2013–2017 (Autoridad de Fiscalización y Control Social de Bosques y Tierra 2017). Dry forest habitat is burned to allow for livestock farming on small- and large-scales. Deforestation also occurs to make way for large-scale agriculture, namely soy plantations. One location of this species is located directly on an active mine, where an increased level of disturbance and environmental pollution poses a significant threat to this sub-population (Garcia-Guinea and Harffy 1998). Over 80% of this species locations are located in potential areas for future timber production, this therefore poses a future risk to the species in the form of deforestation. Many species in the family Bromeliaceae are targeted for the ornamental plant trade, Bolivia has been identified as a hotspot country for illegal harvesting of wild plants (Negrelle et al. 2012). To date, there is no empirical evidence to suggest that this species is a target for the ornamental plant trade, however, there is potential for this species to become targeted in the future.

Three out of the six known locations of this species occur in protected areas, one in the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and two in protected areas at a municipal-level. Further protection of dry forest habitat is recommended to conserve this species in the future. Continued educational training and awareness at local- and global-scales highlighting the threats to Bolivian dry forest flora and fauna is needed. It is recommended that this species would benefit from seed banking in preparation for artificial propagation. Research into the origins of this species distribution across Brazil would help future international conservation of this species. Law compliance and enforcement is needed to mitigate the impacts of illegal land degradation and habitat loss. Monitoring of the trade in bromeliads is recommended and further research into population size and structure, ecology, threat dynamics and uses of this species are suggested. Further taxonomic work is required to investigate this disjunct distribution and establish the identity of these populations.