Rusty-back
CR

Rusty-back

Asplenium ceterach

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

Asplenium ceterach, also known as the rustyback fern, is a fern species in the spleenwort family Aspleniaceae.

Rustyback fern faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urbanization and quarrying of limestone cliffs and walls where it grows. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought stress, while air pollution from urban and industrial sources degrades the specialized microhabitats this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Rocky limestone cliffs, stone walls, and crevices in calcareous substrates, typically in Mediterranean and temperate regions with well-drained alkaline conditions. The species colonizes both natural rock faces and human-made stone structures, requiring specific moisture and pH conditions in protected crevices.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Aspleniaceae

CR

Asplenium veneticolor

Unknown
CR

Asplenium alatum

Unknown
CR

Hymenasplenium delitescens

Unknown
CR

Asplenium dissectum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rusty-back classified as Critically Endangered?
Rusty-back is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Rustyback fern faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urbanization and quarrying of limestone cliffs and walls where it grows. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought stress, while air pollution from urban and industrial sources degrades the specialized microhabitats this species requires.
Where does Rusty-back live?
Rusty-back 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 Rusty-back?
The main threats to Rusty-back 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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