Common Pouchwort
VU

Common Pouchwort

Calypogeia fissa

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Helen Waterman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Helen Waterman

Overview

Common Pouchwort (Calypogeia fissa) is a small leafy liverwort characterized by its distinctive pouch-like structures (marsupium) that contain gemmae for asexual reproduction. This bryophyte forms low-growing mats with deeply divided, two-lobed leaves and plays an important ecological role in forest ecosystems by contributing to soil formation, moisture retention, and providing microhabitat for invertebrates.

Common Pouchwort faces significant threats from habitat degradation due to air pollution, acid rain, and climate change affecting the moist, shaded environments it requires. Urban development and forest fragmentation have reduced suitable habitat availability, while changes in precipitation patterns and temperature regimes threaten the delicate moisture balance essential for this bryophyte's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Moist, shaded environments including deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly on rotting logs, tree bases, and humus-rich soil in areas with consistent moisture. Also found on stream banks, in ravines, and other sheltered locations with stable humidity levels.

Other threatened species in Calypogeiaceae

VU

Meylan's Pouchwort

Calypogeia integristipula

Unknown
Blue PouchwortCR

Blue Pouchwort

Calypogeia azurea

Unknown
Bog PouchwortCR

Bog Pouchwort

Calypogeia sphagnicola

Unknown
Swedish PouchwortCR

Swedish Pouchwort

Calypogeia suecica

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Common Pouchwort classified as Vulnerable?
Common Pouchwort is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Common Pouchwort faces significant threats from habitat degradation due to air pollution, acid rain, and climate change affecting the moist, shaded environments it requires. Urban development and forest fragmentation have reduced suitable habitat availability, while changes in precipitation patterns and temperature regimes threaten the delicate moisture balance essential for this bryophyte's survival.
Where does Common Pouchwort live?
Common Pouchwort 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 Common Pouchwort?
The main threats to Common Pouchwort 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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