Bromelia nidus-puellae

The Magdalena Valley dry forests ecoregion is considered to be critically endangered (Constantino 2001). Conversion of original forest to farmland and cattle farms is a major threat to this ecoregion. Remnants of natural habitats are highly fragmented. Threats to plant species in the region include ongoing conversion to agricultural land, overgrazing, invasion of African grasses and drilling and extraction of oil deposits. Habitat loss is likely to have greatly eroded the genetic diversity of the population. Disturbances have been shown to reduce bromeliad diversity and abundance in several habitats (Filho and Leme 2006, Koster et al. 2009). The long sharp spines on leaves of this species are likely to deter herbivores but fertilization of oligotrophic soils by cattle may encourage the spread of invasive grasses and be detrimental to the taxon. Its resilience to fire is unknown. Other saxicolous bromeliads are sensitive to fire (Versieux and Wendt 2007). This taxon has been historically cultivated on small scale, for use as living fence in the department of Valle del Cauca (Smith and downs 1979, Garcia and Galeano 2006). Fruits of the taxon are also used in folk medicine to treat scurvy and intestinal parasites. Hobbyist collectors may also be a threat. The impact of extraction on the population is unknown.

The two historical localities of collection of this species do not occur within any conservation units. Major conservation plans are needed to save this ecoregion since there are no national parks (Constantino 2001). It is listed as Critically Endangered in the Libro Rojo de Plantas de Colombia (Garcia and Galleano 2006). Field surveys should be conducted in the historical sites of collection and potentially suitable areas in the surroundings to determine the current range and population size. The population should be closely monitored and its dynamics investigated. The biology and ecology should be studied. As the taxon was formerly cultivated on small scales, it is likely that individuals can still be found for conservation ex situ (Garcia and Galiano 2006). Seeds should be collected for germplasm conservation.