Dyckia braunii

The Cerrado is one of the most threatened biomes of South America. More than 50% of the region has been transformed into pastures and agricultural lands, in the last 35 years. Deforestation rates have been higher than in the Amazon rainforest and numerous plant species are threatened by extinction. Habitat loss and fragmentation is ongoing as conversion of natural habitats to managed pastures and large scale plantations is lucrative, especially the cultivation of soybean and corn. Other threats to plant species include the spread of invasive African grasses, especially mollassa (Melinis minutiflora), which is widespread in disturbed areas, roadsides, abandoned plantations and Nature reserves and is highly disruptive for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; environmentally harmful agricultural practices; probable regional climate modification; water pollution; and changes in the fire regime with hotter anthropogenic fires which are harmful to the herb layer (Silva et al. 2006; Klink and Machado 2005). Over the last 20 years, Bromeliads have become more popular in Brazil, as home and garden ornamentals and this has promoted increasing collection pressures on natural populations (Versieux and Wendt 2007). The impact of potential extraction of this species on the population is unknown. Braun and Pereira (2005) reports that wild collection for international nurseries had reduced the size of the subpopulations of D. marnier-lapostellei. The taxon is described as an attractive grey-leaved succulent Bromeliad (Rauh 1990). Removal of any individual from the population might represent a loss of great portion of genetic diversity. Unlike other Dyckia spp., this plant does not form large clonal clumps, which may make it even more vulnerable.

This species is not known to occur within the protected areas network at present. Field surveys should be conducted in the historical site of collection and potentially suitable sites to determine the range, estimate the population size and determine if local extinction has occurred. The population should be closely monitored and its dynamics investigated. Sample of seed should be collected and stored as an ex situ conservation measure.