VU

Lapland Sedge

Carex lapponica

Unknown

Overview

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

Lapland Sedge faces severe pressure from climate change as warming temperatures alter its specialized arctic and subarctic wetland habitats. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in permafrost dynamics and altered precipitation patterns that affect the hydrology of its bog and fen ecosystems. Human activities including peat extraction, drainage for agriculture, and infrastructure development have fragmented remaining populations across its circumpolar range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Lapland Sedge inhabits acidic bogs, fens, and wet meadows in arctic and subarctic regions, typically growing in nutrient-poor, waterlogged soils with sphagnum moss. The species requires specific hydrological conditions and is closely associated with permafrost-influenced wetland systems across northern Scandinavia, Russia, and North America.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Lapland Sedge classified as Vulnerable?
Lapland Sedge 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. Lapland Sedge faces severe pressure from climate change as warming temperatures alter its specialized arctic and subarctic wetland habitats. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in permafrost dynamics and altered precipitation patterns that affect the hydrology of its bog and fen ecosystems. Human activities including peat extraction, drainage for agriculture, and infrastructure development have fragmented remaining populations across its circumpolar range.
Where does Lapland Sedge live?
Lapland Sedge 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 Lapland Sedge?
The main threats to Lapland Sedge 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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