VU

Dolomedes plantarius

Declining

Overview

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

The fen raft spider faces severe population declines primarily due to wetland habitat destruction and degradation across its limited European range. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development has compromised the quality of remaining fenland habitats, while drainage schemes have eliminated many suitable sites. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect the water levels critical for this semi-aquatic species' survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Dolomedes plantarius inhabits pristine fenlands, marshes, and other wetland environments with clean, slow-moving or still water. The species requires areas with abundant emergent vegetation and floating plant matter that provide both hunting platforms and nursery sites for egg sacs.

Threatened in Åland Islands

Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown
Haplodrassus cognatusCR

Haplodrassus cognatus

Unknown
Yellow-breasted BuntingCR

Yellow-breasted Bunting

Emberiza aureola

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dolomedes plantarius classified as Vulnerable?
Dolomedes plantarius 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. The fen raft spider faces severe population declines primarily due to wetland habitat destruction and degradation across its limited European range. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development has compromised the quality of remaining fenland habitats, while drainage schemes have eliminated many suitable sites. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect the water levels critical for this semi-aquatic species' survival.
Where does Dolomedes plantarius live?
Dolomedes plantarius occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Czechia (plus 20 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Dolomedes plantarius?
The main threats to Dolomedes plantarius 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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