Pointed Stonewort
VU

Pointed Stonewort

Nitella mucronata

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Pointed Stonewort faces severe decline due to eutrophication of freshwater systems from agricultural runoff and urban development, which increases nutrient levels beyond the species' tolerance for oligotrophic conditions. Water abstraction and drainage of wetlands for agriculture has eliminated many historical populations across its European range. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing water temperatures, further degrading the clear, calcium-rich waters this charophyte requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Pointed Stonewort inhabits shallow, clear, calcium-rich freshwater environments including lakes, ponds, ditches, and slow-flowing streams with sandy or muddy substrates. The species requires oligotrophic to mesotrophic conditions with low nutrient levels and high water clarity for photosynthesis.

Other threatened species in Characeae

Chara filiformisCR

Chara filiformis

Unknown
Starry StonewortVU

Starry Stonewort

Nitellopsis obtusa

Unknown
Slender StonewortVU

Slender Stonewort

Nitella gracilis

Unknown
Translucent StonewortVU

Translucent Stonewort

Nitella translucens

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pointed Stonewort classified as Vulnerable?
Pointed Stonewort 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. Pointed Stonewort faces severe decline due to eutrophication of freshwater systems from agricultural runoff and urban development, which increases nutrient levels beyond the species' tolerance for oligotrophic conditions. Water abstraction and drainage of wetlands for agriculture has eliminated many historical populations across its European range. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing water temperatures, further degrading the clear, calcium-rich waters this charophyte requires.
Where does Pointed Stonewort live?
Pointed Stonewort 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 Pointed Stonewort?
The main threats to Pointed Stonewort 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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