CR

Carex tessellata

Unknown

Overview

Carex acutata is a species of sedge, a perennial flowering plant, in the family Cyperaceae. It was first formally named by Francis Boott in 1846.

Carex tessellata faces severe population decline primarily due to wetland drainage and agricultural conversion of its specialized sedge meadow habitats. Urban development and infrastructure projects have eliminated many historical sites, while altered hydrology from water management practices disrupts the specific moisture regimes this sedge requires. Climate change compounds these pressures by shifting precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency in its limited range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Carex tessellata inhabits wet sedge meadows, marshy areas, and the margins of shallow wetlands, typically in calcareous soils with consistent moisture levels. This specialized sedge requires specific hydrological conditions found in undisturbed wetland ecosystems.

Other threatened species in CYPERACEAE

Carex lapazensisCR

Carex lapazensis

Unknown
EN

Bulbostylis nemoides

Unknown
VU

Costularia baronii

Declining
VU

Costularia robusta

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Carex tessellata classified as Critically Endangered?
Carex tessellata is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Carex tessellata faces severe population decline primarily due to wetland drainage and agricultural conversion of its specialized sedge meadow habitats. Urban development and infrastructure projects have eliminated many historical sites, while altered hydrology from water management practices disrupts the specific moisture regimes this sedge requires. Climate change compounds these pressures by shifting precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency in its limited range.
Where does Carex tessellata live?
Carex tessellata occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Carex tessellata?
The main threats to Carex tessellata are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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