Orkney Notchwort
VU

Orkney Notchwort

Anastrepta orcadensis

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

The Orkney Notchwort faces severe threats from coastal development and infrastructure projects that destroy its specialized cliff-top habitats. Climate change poses an additional risk through increased storm intensity and sea-level rise, which can erode the narrow coastal zones where this liverwort persists. Agricultural intensification and grazing pressure in adjacent areas further fragment its already limited habitat range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This rare liverwort is endemic to coastal cliff-tops and rocky outcrops in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, where it grows on calcareous substrates and weathered limestone. It typically occupies exposed maritime grassland edges and crevices in coastal rocks, requiring specific moisture and mineral conditions found only in these specialized oceanic environments.

Other threatened species in Anastrophyllaceae

VU

Heller's Notchwort

Crossocalyx hellerianus

Unknown
Bearded PawwortCR

Bearded Pawwort

Barbilophozia barbata

Unknown
Atlantic PawwortVU

Atlantic Pawwort

Orthocaulis atlanticus

Unknown
EN

Hatcher's Pawwort

Barbilophozia hatcheri

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Orkney Notchwort classified as Vulnerable?
Orkney Notchwort 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. The Orkney Notchwort faces severe threats from coastal development and infrastructure projects that destroy its specialized cliff-top habitats. Climate change poses an additional risk through increased storm intensity and sea-level rise, which can erode the narrow coastal zones where this liverwort persists. Agricultural intensification and grazing pressure in adjacent areas further fragment its already limited habitat range.
Where does Orkney Notchwort live?
Orkney Notchwort 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 Orkney Notchwort?
The main threats to Orkney Notchwort 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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