Bird's-nest Stonewort
Tolypella nidifica
Bird's-nest Stonewort is a distinctive charophyte algae characterized by its intricate branching structure that resembles a bird's nest, with whorled branchlets and reproductive structures called oogonia and antheridia. This aquatic macroalgae plays a crucial ecological role in freshwater ecosystems by providing habitat structure for invertebrates, stabilizing sediments, and contributing to water clarity through nutrient uptake.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) roman_romanov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by roman_romanov
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Charophyta
Class
Charophyceae
Order
Charales
Family
Characeae
Genus
Tolypella
Bird's-nest Stonewort belongs to the family Characeae, order Charales, within the Charophyceae class.
Species Profile
Bird's-nest Stonewort is a distinctive charophyte algae characterized by its intricate branching structure that resembles a bird's nest, with whorled branchlets and reproductive structures called oogonia and antheridia. This aquatic macroalgae plays a crucial ecological role in freshwater ecosystems by providing habitat structure for invertebrates, stabilizing sediments, and contributing to water clarity through nutrient uptake.
Bird's-nest Stonewort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized aquatic environments. Water pollution, eutrophication, and physical disturbance of shallow freshwater habitats have dramatically reduced suitable breeding and growing sites across its range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Bird's-nest Stonewort inhabits shallow, clear freshwater environments including calcareous lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams with high calcium content and low nutrient levels. It typically grows in sandy or muddy substrates in waters ranging from 0.5 to 3 meters deep, preferring areas with stable water levels and minimal disturbance.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Bird's-nest Stonewort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized aquatic environments. Water pollution, eutrophication, and physical disturbance of shallow freshwater habitats have dramatically reduced suitable breeding and growing sites across its range.
Habitat loss and degradation
Water pollution and eutrophication
Agricultural runoff
Climate change affecting water levels
Physical disturbance of aquatic habitats
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Bird's-nest Stonewort (Tolypella nidifica). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/birds-nest-stonewort