Billbergia cardenasii

Epiphytes have experienced dramatic population decreases mainly because of habitat loss and extraction activities which have driven many species close to extinction (Mondragon et al. 2006). As the type locality is uncertain it is not possible to precisely characterize the threats faced by this species in its native range. In the Bolivian Yungas, threats in the form of habitat loss and general degradation due to human activities persist outside protected regions. The locals burn forests in the region for cash crops, notably Coca. In some cases, crops and logging have increased due to more intensified road-building efforts. Extensive forest clearance in the Bolivian Andean foothills to cultivate crops has endangered many species, especially in the Departments of La Paz and Cochabamba (Brookes 2001). This species may be collected from the wild for ornamental purposes.

It is not known whether the taxon was collected within any conservation unit. The system of protected areas has expanded in the region and covers quiet a large part of this ecoregion, however management and conservation efforts may not always be adequate. Fortunately, most protected areas in this ecoregion are difficult to cultivate due to difficult access, steepness of terrain, and very high rainfall (Brookes 2001). It does not benefit from legal protection in Bolivia. The taxon does not appear to be cultivated ex situ.

Field surveys should be conducted in the Bolivian Yungas to determine if the taxon is still extant and if so, what is the range and population size. Adequate conservation and management strategies should be designed according to the findings of these surveys. Seeds, if found, should be collected for ex situ and germplasm conservation.