obtuse sedge
VU

obtuse sedge

Carex obtusata

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Obtuse sedge faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural conversion and urban development across its limited range. Wetland drainage and modification have eliminated many historical populations, while remaining sites suffer from altered hydrology and invasive species encroachment. Climate change compounds these pressures by shifting precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency in the specialized wetland habitats this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Obtuse sedge inhabits wet meadows, prairie potholes, and seasonal wetlands with fluctuating water levels. It typically grows in alkaline to neutral soils in open, sunny locations where water tables remain high during the growing season but may recede in late summer.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Cyperaceae

Round-headed Club-rushCR

Round-headed Club-rush

Scirpoides holoschoenus

Unknown
Tawny SedgeCR

Tawny Sedge

Carex hostiana

Unknown
Two-stamen SedgeCR

Two-stamen Sedge

Carex diandra

Unknown
Flat-sedgeVU

Flat-sedge

Blysmus compressus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is obtuse sedge classified as Vulnerable?
obtuse 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. Obtuse sedge faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural conversion and urban development across its limited range. Wetland drainage and modification have eliminated many historical populations, while remaining sites suffer from altered hydrology and invasive species encroachment. Climate change compounds these pressures by shifting precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency in the specialized wetland habitats this species requires.
Where does obtuse sedge live?
obtuse 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 obtuse sedge?
The main threats to obtuse 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.