Rounded Earthstar
EN

Rounded Earthstar

Geastrum saccatum

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Rounded Earthstar faces severe decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its European range. Nitrogen deposition from atmospheric pollution alters soil chemistry, disrupting the delicate mycorrhizal relationships essential for this fungus's survival. Climate change compounds these pressures by shifting precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency, which affects the moisture-dependent fruiting cycles critical for spore dispersal and reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

This distinctive earthstar fungus inhabits nutrient-poor sandy soils in open woodlands, heathlands, and grasslands across Europe. It forms symbiotic relationships with tree roots and thrives in well-drained, acidic substrates with minimal disturbance.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Geastraceae

Geastrum melanocephalumEN

Geastrum melanocephalum

Unknown
Field EarthstarVU

Field Earthstar

Geastrum campestre

Unknown
Tiny EarthstarVU

Tiny Earthstar

Geastrum minimum

Unknown
Sessile EarthstarVU

Sessile Earthstar

Geastrum fimbriatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rounded Earthstar classified as Endangered?
Rounded Earthstar is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Rounded Earthstar faces severe decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its European range. Nitrogen deposition from atmospheric pollution alters soil chemistry, disrupting the delicate mycorrhizal relationships essential for this fungus's survival. Climate change compounds these pressures by shifting precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency, which affects the moisture-dependent fruiting cycles critical for spore dispersal and reproduction.
Where does Rounded Earthstar live?
Rounded Earthstar 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 Rounded Earthstar?
The main threats to Rounded Earthstar 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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