Eleocharis columbiensis

Whilst Lake Tota is in better condition than any other high altitude lake in Colombia, it is surrounded by agriculture and settlements, as well as supporting some aquaculture and an introduced rainbow trout fishery. It is not clear to what extent these activities constitute a threat to marginal plant communities, however it is clear that there is a risk with these activities of hyper-eutrophication leading to habitat degradation.

There is a need to survey and document the distribution and extent of populations of this species, to enable assessment of its vulnerability to activities in areas surrounding the lake.