Navia scopulorum

Due to the inaccessibility of both the steep slopes and high summits of the Tepui Mountains, much of the natural habitat is intact. However, there have been many anthropogenic changes and human impact has recently increased in the region. Human-induced fires at the base of the mountains have destroyed vegetation in extensive areas. Fires can reach the forest and rock outcrops on the slopes or even the summits and after fires, heavy rains may remove the soil substratum on soil islands on rocks and in crevices and ledges, preventing recolonization of the native flora. Many Bromeliaceae appear to be sensitive to fires (Benzing 2000, Versieux and Wendt 2007). Canaima, the largest National Park in Venezuela and where the taxon was collected is affected by rapidly growing mass tourism, which is favoured by road construction, illegal airstrips and helicopter flights into previously inaccessible areas. At present it is not known whether these processes are affecting the species' status and health, but it should be considered that small populations with low genetic variability are much more sensitive to natural fluctuations and stochastic events and much more prone to extinction (Cavallari et al. 2006).

There are no known conservation measures specifically for this species, but the species was collected within the Canaima National Park, which is the largest National Park in Venezuela. All Tepuis above 800 m are now designated protected conservation areas as natural monuments. Botanical surveys should be carried out to determine the current species' range, the size and trends of the populations. Samples of seed should be collected and stored as an ex situ conservation measure.