Shetland Pondweed
Potamogeton rutilus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
16
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potamogeton_rutilus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Alismatales
Family
Potamogetonaceae
Genus
Potamogeton
Shetland Pondweed belongs to the family Potamogetonaceae, order Alismatales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Shetland Pondweed faces severe threats from habitat degradation and loss due to water pollution, eutrophication, and human disturbance of its aquatic environments. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while climate change and altered water chemistry further compromise its survival prospects.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Shallow freshwater lochs, ponds, and slow-moving streams in northern Scotland, particularly in nutrient-poor to moderately nutrient-rich waters. The species typically grows in clear, alkaline waters at depths of 0.5-3 meters, often associated with other aquatic vegetation.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Shetland Pondweed faces severe threats from habitat degradation and loss due to water pollution, eutrophication, and human disturbance of its aquatic environments. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while climate change and altered water chemistry further compromise its survival prospects.
Climate change impacts on aquatic systems
Extremely limited geographic range
Habitat loss and degradation
Human disturbance of water bodies
Water pollution and eutrophication
Found in 16 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | NTNear Threatened | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | NTNear Threatened | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Shetland Pondweed (Potamogeton rutilus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/shetland-pondweed