News published: 20 February 2023

A Haven for Threatened Species: An ex-situ conservation of Cardones (Puya-Bromeliaceae)

The Bogotá Botanic Garden is the largest in Colombia, with nearly 20 hectares, within which ex situ flora conservation strategies are prioritized, emphasizing high Andean Forest and Páramo ecosystems. The Scientific Direction of Live Collections staff contributes to ex situ conservation strategy, prioritizing native species and threat categories and providing knowledge about essential species relevant to a biodiversity hotspot like ours.

Under current scenarios such as global warming, transformation and over-exploitation of land use, and population growth, actions have been sought to conserve important species for the country, like the genus Puya of the Bromeliaceae family, known as Cardones.

Cardones, being one of the showiest components of the Páramos, with 38 species reported in Colombia, of which 34 are in the threat category (89%): 7 are critically endangered (18%), and 8 are in danger of extinction (21%). Despite knowing its high threat, there must be population information for most species or conservation plans, and few investigations contribute to their preservation.

Within the ex situ strategies of the Garden, there is a conservation of 13 Cardones species within the living collections (9 sp.) and in the germplasm bank (9 sp.). Its adaptation to garden conditions has been successful, with flowering (Puya bicolor, Puya lineata, Puya santosii, Puya loca) and seed production. In addition, it has been the thematic object of educational tours, allowing the visitor to know the botanical wealth of the country try and of this group.