Slimy-fruited Stonewort
EN

Slimy-fruited Stonewort

Nitella capillaris

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Nitella capillaris 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 water quality in the shallow lakes and ponds where this charophyte thrives. Habitat destruction through wetland drainage and conversion to agricultural land has eliminated many historical populations across its range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Nitella capillaris inhabits shallow, oligotrophic freshwater environments including clear lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams with sandy or muddy substrates. This charophyte requires nutrient-poor waters with high light penetration and typically grows submerged at depths of 0.5 to 3 meters in temperate freshwater ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Characeae

Chara filiformisCR

Chara filiformis

Unknown
Starry StonewortVU

Starry Stonewort

Nitellopsis obtusa

Unknown
Pointed StonewortVU

Pointed Stonewort

Nitella mucronata

Unknown
Slender StonewortVU

Slender Stonewort

Nitella gracilis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Slimy-fruited Stonewort classified as Endangered?
Slimy-fruited Stonewort is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Nitella capillaris 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 water quality in the shallow lakes and ponds where this charophyte thrives. Habitat destruction through wetland drainage and conversion to agricultural land has eliminated many historical populations across its range.
Where does Slimy-fruited Stonewort live?
Slimy-fruited 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 Slimy-fruited Stonewort?
The main threats to Slimy-fruited 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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