EN

Gymnadenia bicornis

Unknown

Overview

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

Gymnadenia bicornis faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural intensification and urban development across its European range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in traditional grassland management practices, as it requires specific soil conditions and mycorrhizal relationships that are disrupted by fertilizer application and frequent mowing. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate timing between flowering periods and pollinator activity, while also shifting suitable habitat zones to higher elevations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Gymnadenia bicornis inhabits nutrient-poor calcareous grasslands, alpine meadows, and chalk downs across Europe, typically growing in well-drained soils at elevations ranging from sea level to 2,500 meters. The species requires specific soil pH conditions and depends on complex mycorrhizal fungal associations that are sensitive to chemical disturbance.

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

Declining
VU

Disperis galerita

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Gymnadenia bicornis classified as Endangered?
Gymnadenia bicornis is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Gymnadenia bicornis faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural intensification and urban development across its European range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in traditional grassland management practices, as it requires specific soil conditions and mycorrhizal relationships that are disrupted by fertilizer application and frequent mowing. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate timing between flowering periods and pollinator activity, while also shifting suitable habitat zones to higher elevations.
Where does Gymnadenia bicornis live?
Gymnadenia bicornis 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 Gymnadenia bicornis?
The main threats to Gymnadenia bicornis 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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