Russow's Sphagnum
VU

Russow's Sphagnum

Sphagnum russowii

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Russow's Sphagnum faces significant pressure from habitat degradation caused by drainage and peat extraction in its bog and wetland environments. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased temperatures that can dry out the acidic, waterlogged conditions this moss requires. Agricultural expansion and forestry activities continue to fragment and destroy suitable peatland habitats across its range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Russow's Sphagnum inhabits acidic bogs, fens, and other peatland environments where it forms dense mats in permanently waterlogged conditions. This species typically occurs in nutrient-poor, acidic wetlands with pH levels between 3.5 and 5.5, often associated with other Sphagnum species in boreal and temperate regions.

Other threatened species in Sphagnaceae

Slender Cow-horn Bog-mossVU

Slender Cow-horn Bog-moss

Sphagnum subsecundum

Unknown
Red PeatmossVU

Red Peatmoss

Sphagnum rubellum

Unknown
VU

Sphagnum rotundatum

Unknown
Magellanic Bog-mossVU

Magellanic Bog-moss

Sphagnum magellanicum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Russow's Sphagnum classified as Vulnerable?
Russow's Sphagnum 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. Russow's Sphagnum faces significant pressure from habitat degradation caused by drainage and peat extraction in its bog and wetland environments. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased temperatures that can dry out the acidic, waterlogged conditions this moss requires. Agricultural expansion and forestry activities continue to fragment and destroy suitable peatland habitats across its range.
Where does Russow's Sphagnum live?
Russow's Sphagnum 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 Russow's Sphagnum?
The main threats to Russow's Sphagnum 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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