VU

Scarce Heath

Coenonympha hero

UnknownVUEUVUEU

Overview

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

The Scarce Heath faces severe population declines across its European range due to the loss and degradation of its specialized wetland habitats. Agricultural intensification, drainage of peat bogs, and abandonment of traditional low-intensity grazing have eliminated crucial breeding sites. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the hydrology of remaining bog ecosystems and shifting suitable habitat zones northward faster than the species can adapt.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Scarce Heath inhabits wet heathlands, peat bogs, and marshy grasslands with abundant sedges and grasses, particularly areas with Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea). It requires traditionally managed, extensively grazed wetlands that maintain the specific microhabitat conditions needed for its larval development.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Scarce Heath classified as Vulnerable?
Scarce Heath 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 Scarce Heath faces severe population declines across its European range due to the loss and degradation of its specialized wetland habitats. Agricultural intensification, drainage of peat bogs, and abandonment of traditional low-intensity grazing have eliminated crucial breeding sites. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the hydrology of remaining bog ecosystems and shifting suitable habitat zones northward faster than the species can adapt.
Where does Scarce Heath live?
Scarce Heath occurs in Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, and Czechia (plus 26 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Scarce Heath?
The main threats to Scarce Heath 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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