Dwarf Neckera
Neckera pumila
Dwarf Neckera is a small, delicate moss species characterized by its flattened, feather-like branching pattern and glossy, dark green appearance. This bryophyte forms loose, spreading mats on tree bark and rock surfaces, playing an important ecological role in forest ecosystems by providing microhabitat for invertebrates and contributing to nutrient cycling through moisture retention and organic matter decomposition.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Stefan Gey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Stefan Gey
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Bryophyta
Class
Bryopsida
Order
Hypnales
Family
Neckeraceae
Genus
Neckera
Dwarf Neckera belongs to the family Neckeraceae, order Hypnales, within the Bryopsida class.
Species Profile
Dwarf Neckera is a small, delicate moss species characterized by its flattened, feather-like branching pattern and glossy, dark green appearance. This bryophyte forms loose, spreading mats on tree bark and rock surfaces, playing an important ecological role in forest ecosystems by providing microhabitat for invertebrates and contributing to nutrient cycling through moisture retention and organic matter decomposition.
Dwarf Neckera faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation, urbanization, and changes in forest management practices that alter the microclimate conditions essential for this moss species. Air pollution and climate change further threaten its specialized epiphytic habitat requirements, while the species' limited dispersal ability makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Dwarf Neckera grows as an epiphyte on tree bark in humid deciduous and mixed forests, particularly favoring older trees with stable bark surfaces. The species requires consistent moisture levels and is typically found in shaded forest environments with high humidity and minimal air pollution.
Threats
Air pollution and acid deposition
Habitat loss and forest fragmentation
Changes in forest management practices
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Limited dispersal capacity
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
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
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Dwarf Neckera (Neckera pumila). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dwarf-neckera