Orchis de Spitzel
Orchis spitzelii
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchis_spitzelii
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Orchis spitzelii faces significant pressure from habitat degradation due to agricultural intensification and urban development across its Mediterranean range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in traditional land management practices, as it depends on specific grazing regimes and fire cycles that maintain open grassland conditions. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency, which can disrupt the delicate soil moisture balance required for successful reproduction.
Habitat
Orchis spitzelii inhabits dry grasslands, scrublands, and open woodlands across the Mediterranean basin, typically growing in calcareous soils at elevations from sea level to 1,500 meters. The species thrives in areas with traditional extensive grazing and requires well-drained soils with specific mycorrhizal associations.
Other threatened species in Orchidaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Orchis de Spitzel classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Orchis de Spitzel live?
What are the main threats to Orchis de Spitzel?
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