Slender Stonewort
VU

Slender Stonewort

Nitella gracilis

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Slender Stonewort faces severe decline due to eutrophication of freshwater systems from agricultural runoff and urban development, which increases nutrient levels beyond the species' tolerance for oligotrophic conditions. Water pollution from industrial discharge and sewage treatment facilities further degrades the clear, calcium-rich waters this charophyte requires. Habitat destruction through wetland drainage and water extraction for irrigation has eliminated numerous historical populations across its range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Slender Stonewort inhabits shallow, clear freshwater environments including oligotrophic lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams with calcium-rich substrates. The species requires clean water with low nutrient levels and typically grows submerged in depths of 0.5 to 3 meters on sandy or muddy bottoms.

Other threatened species in Characeae

Chara filiformisCR

Chara filiformis

Unknown
Starry StonewortVU

Starry Stonewort

Nitellopsis obtusa

Unknown
Pointed StonewortVU

Pointed Stonewort

Nitella mucronata

Unknown
Translucent StonewortVU

Translucent Stonewort

Nitella translucens

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Slender Stonewort classified as Vulnerable?
Slender Stonewort 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. Slender Stonewort faces severe decline due to eutrophication of freshwater systems from agricultural runoff and urban development, which increases nutrient levels beyond the species' tolerance for oligotrophic conditions. Water pollution from industrial discharge and sewage treatment facilities further degrades the clear, calcium-rich waters this charophyte requires. Habitat destruction through wetland drainage and water extraction for irrigation has eliminated numerous historical populations across its range.
Where does Slender Stonewort live?
Slender Stonewort 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 Slender Stonewort?
The main threats to Slender Stonewort 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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