Encholirium luxor

Many subpopulations of this species are rapidly being destroyed by the intense exploitation of calcareous outcrops in Minas Gerais, Distrito Federal and Goias. Rock extraction and habitat loss in the Cerrado directly threaten the survival of this species (Forzza 2005). Loss of genetic variability can affect seed production, viability and germinability as well as the growth of vegetative plantlets. Such populations are much more sensitive to natural fluctuations and stochastic events and much more prone to extinction. Encholirium species, which occur exclusively on rocky outcrops seem to be more at risk of immediate population reduction than Encholirium species found in other types of habitat of the Cerrado. Disturbances have been shown to reduce bromeliad diversity and abundance in several habitats (Filho and Leme 2007). Only some species of Encholirium have been found to resprout after fires. The survival of Encholirium species may be linked to the frequency of fires and the stage of development (Forzza et al. 2003). Versieux and Wendt (2007), during their field work in Minas Gerais, returned to many places, where fires were so intense that entire bromeliad subpopulations disappeared within a few years, regardless of their saxicolous life forms. Fires may cause complete destruction of soil islands on rock outcrops preventing recolonization by the native flora and favouring the spread of invasive African grasses (Benzing 2000, Versieux and Wendt 2007).

The Cerrado is a biodiversity hotspot, with 44% of the Flora endemic. Conservation efforts in the region have been, until recently, very modest with only 2.2% of the area under protection (Klink and Machado 2005, Silva et al. 2006). This species is only known to occur outside the protected areas network (Forzza et al. 2003). More extensive studies must be carried out to delineate protected areas that would effectively help to preserve this species. In privately owned areas, Forzza et al. (2003) recommend the establishment of Reservas Particulares do Patrimonio Natural (RPNs) with fiscal incentives and education to the owners. Field surveys should be conducted in historical sites of collection and areas of potential occurrence to estimate the precise size of the population. The dynamics of the population should be studied as well as the resilience of the taxon to fires and grazing. The species has been listed as Critically Endangered (Criterion A2ac) in Brazil, in the Lista da Flora Brasileira Ameaçada de Extinção (Biodiversitas 2005); Forzza et al. (2003) also listed the species as Critically Endangered in Brazil.