Evaluation of the conservation status of montane forest in the tropical Andes

The tropical Andes is a unique region with high habitat diversity, resulting from complex climatic and spatial gradients. Andean montane forests are currently a major global conservation priority owing to their high species richness and high level of endemism. Nonetheless they are considered one of the least known ecosystems in the tropics, but the breath of ecosystem services that these forests provide, including the regulation of regional climate and the capture and storage of carbon, is widely recognised. This article presents an overview of the conservation status of tropical Andean montane forests and the challenges it entails. It also provides information on threats, including the identification of those that are most likely to be responsible for increasing the extinction risk for many species. It highlights the need for acquiring more information on the conservation status of species as to identify future priorities for conservation in the region. The recent initiative "Red List and conservation planning for montane tree species of the Tropical Andes," made of delegates from several countries in the region, will provide a solid basis for developing policies and managing responses aimed at reducing deforestation and species loss in these forests, including actions to promote the creation of protected areas, forest restoration and sustainable forest management.