short-anther cottongrass
VU

short-anther cottongrass

Eriophorum brachyantherum

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Short-anther cottongrass faces significant pressure from wetland drainage and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in northern North America. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the hydrology of bog and fen ecosystems where this species depends on specific water table levels. Peat extraction and mining activities have directly destroyed habitat in several key locations, while invasive plant species increasingly compete for space in disturbed wetland areas.

Threat summary

Habitat

Short-anther cottongrass inhabits acidic bogs, fens, and wet meadows across boreal and subarctic regions of Alaska and northern Canada. This sedge requires consistently moist to saturated soils with specific pH conditions and is typically found in sphagnum-dominated wetland communities.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is short-anther cottongrass classified as Vulnerable?
short-anther cottongrass 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. Short-anther cottongrass faces significant pressure from wetland drainage and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in northern North America. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the hydrology of bog and fen ecosystems where this species depends on specific water table levels. Peat extraction and mining activities have directly destroyed habitat in several key locations, while invasive plant species increasingly compete for space in disturbed wetland areas.
Where does short-anther cottongrass live?
short-anther cottongrass 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 short-anther cottongrass?
The main threats to short-anther cottongrass 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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