Delicate Thuidium Moss
VU

Delicate Thuidium Moss

Thuidium delicatulum

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Rob Curtis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Rob Curtis

Overview

Thuidium delicatulum, also known as the delicate fern moss or common fern moss, is a widespread species of moss in the family Thuidiaceae. It is found in North and South America from Alaska to Brazil.

Delicate Thuidium Moss faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss due to urbanization, agricultural expansion, and forestry practices that alter the moist, shaded microenvironments it requires. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature increases that can disrupt the delicate moisture balance essential for moss survival. Air pollution and acid deposition further compromise moss health by directly damaging plant tissues and altering substrate chemistry.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species typically inhabits moist, shaded forest floors, rotting logs, tree bases, and rocky substrates in deciduous and mixed woodlands. It requires consistently humid microenvironments with stable moisture levels and filtered light conditions.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Thuidiaceae

CR

Thuidium pseudodelicatulum

Unknown
VU

Philibert's Tamarisk-moss

Thuidium assimile

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Delicate Thuidium Moss classified as Vulnerable?
Delicate Thuidium Moss 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. Delicate Thuidium Moss faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss due to urbanization, agricultural expansion, and forestry practices that alter the moist, shaded microenvironments it requires. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature increases that can disrupt the delicate moisture balance essential for moss survival. Air pollution and acid deposition further compromise moss health by directly damaging plant tissues and altering substrate chemistry.
Where does Delicate Thuidium Moss live?
Delicate Thuidium Moss 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 Delicate Thuidium Moss?
The main threats to Delicate Thuidium Moss 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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