VUVulnerable

Daphnia occidentalis

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Daphnia occidentalis faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural runoff and urban development around its freshwater habitats. Water pollution from pesticides and fertilizers disrupts the delicate chemical balance these filter-feeding crustaceans require, while introduced fish species prey heavily on native Daphnia populations. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering water temperature and oxygen levels in the shallow ponds and lakes where this species persists.
Threat summary

Habitat

Daphnia occidentalis inhabits shallow freshwater ponds, small lakes, and temporary pools in temperate regions, typically preferring areas with abundant phytoplankton and minimal fish predation. These microcrustaceans thrive in nutrient-rich but unpolluted waters with stable pH levels and adequate dissolved oxygen.

Other threatened species in DAPHNIIDAE

Frequently asked questions

Why is Daphnia occidentalis classified as Vulnerable?

Daphnia occidentalis 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. Daphnia occidentalis faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural runoff and urban development around its freshwater habitats. Water pollution from pesticides and fertilizers disrupts the delicate chemical balance these filter-feeding crustaceans require, while introduced fish species prey heavily on native Daphnia populations. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering water temperature and oxygen levels in the shallow ponds and lakes where this species persists.

Where does Daphnia occidentalis live?

Daphnia occidentalis 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 Daphnia occidentalis?

The main threats to Daphnia occidentalis 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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