Diversity and conservation aspects
In Bolivia, the genus is found exclusively in the eastern lowlands and adjacent areas. Only Bromelia serra is found in higher elevations in the Andes. All six species are present in the Santa Cruz department, while not more than two sympatric species have been recorded in the other lowland departments. This is due to the fact that the large Santa Cruz department has the largest portions of habitats apt for Bromelia species.
Most species prefer open, forest-free habitats or dry forests with an open canopy, and are adapted to drought wildfires. Generally, they tend to proliferate when forest is cleared anthopogenically and when cattle-ranching leads to the destruction of trees and shrubs. They form a rather impenetrable thicket and are accompanied by other spiny succulents like cacti. Possibly, the species most adapted to closed forests (and maybe less weedy) is B. arubaiensis sp. nov. This species has not been observed forming large populations locally. However, plants cultivated in Santa Cruz show that the species is rather tolerant to radiation and drought, and thus not dependent on intact (semi-) humid forest habitats. In general, the Bolivian Bromelia species should not face conservation problems, especially for being rather forest conversion-tolerant. The heavily used B. hieronymi is told to be wiped out locally nearby Ayoreo communities, due to the intensive use.
