Least Earwort
Scapania curta
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Scapania curta faces severe decline due to habitat degradation from agricultural intensification and urban development across its limited European range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in water chemistry and pollution from agricultural runoff, which alter the delicate pH balance required for its survival. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that affect the moist microhabitats essential for this bryophyte's reproduction and growth.
Habitat
Scapania curta inhabits moist, acidic soils along stream banks, wet heathlands, and boggy areas, typically in montane and sub-montane regions. The species requires consistently damp conditions with specific pH levels and is often found growing on peaty substrates or among other bryophytes in undisturbed wetland margins.
Other threatened species in Scapaniaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Least Earwort classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Least Earwort live?
What are the main threats to Least Earwort?
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