VU

Small Hairy Screw-moss

Syntrichia laevipila

UnknownLCEULCEU

Overview

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

Small Hairy Screw-moss faces significant pressure from urban development and infrastructure expansion across its limited range in western North America. Agricultural intensification and livestock grazing have degraded many of its specialized soil crust habitats, while climate change is altering precipitation patterns critical for this drought-adapted species. Air pollution and nitrogen deposition from urban areas further compromise the delicate soil chemistry required for moss establishment and reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

This moss species inhabits specialized soil crusts and rocky substrates in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, typically growing on calcareous soils in desert scrublands and dry grasslands. It requires specific microhabitat conditions with particular soil chemistry and moisture regimes that support biological soil crust communities.

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Hennediella heimii

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Yellow Crisp-moss

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Calidris ferrugineaVU

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EN

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Small Hairy Screw-moss classified as Vulnerable?
Small Hairy Screw-moss 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. Small Hairy Screw-moss faces significant pressure from urban development and infrastructure expansion across its limited range in western North America. Agricultural intensification and livestock grazing have degraded many of its specialized soil crust habitats, while climate change is altering precipitation patterns critical for this drought-adapted species. Air pollution and nitrogen deposition from urban areas further compromise the delicate soil chemistry required for moss establishment and reproduction.
Where does Small Hairy Screw-moss live?
Small Hairy Screw-moss occurs in Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, and Botswana (plus 46 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 Small Hairy Screw-moss?
The main threats to Small Hairy Screw-moss 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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