Great Wood-rush
VU

Great Wood-rush

Luzula sylvatica

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luzula_sylvatica

Overview

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

Great Wood-rush faces significant pressure from habitat fragmentation as ancient woodlands are cleared for agriculture and development. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, moist conditions this species requires, potentially shifting suitable habitat ranges beyond its current distribution. Invasive plant species and changes in forest management practices that reduce canopy cover further compromise the shaded understory environments essential for its survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Great Wood-rush thrives in the understory of ancient deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly favoring cool, moist, acidic soils beneath dense canopy cover. It is typically found in beech, oak, and birch forests across mountainous and hilly regions of Europe.

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Arctic RushCR

Arctic Rush

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arctic woodrushEN

arctic woodrush

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Great Wood-rush classified as Vulnerable?
Great Wood-rush 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. Great Wood-rush faces significant pressure from habitat fragmentation as ancient woodlands are cleared for agriculture and development. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, moist conditions this species requires, potentially shifting suitable habitat ranges beyond its current distribution. Invasive plant species and changes in forest management practices that reduce canopy cover further compromise the shaded understory environments essential for its survival.
Where does Great Wood-rush live?
Great Wood-rush 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 Great Wood-rush?
The main threats to Great Wood-rush 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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