VU

Spike Rush Smut

Parvulago marina

Unknown

Overview

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

Parvulago marina faces severe pressure from coastal development and habitat modification along its restricted saltmarsh range. Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threaten the delicate balance of salinity and moisture levels essential for this fungal pathogen's survival on its spike rush hosts. Agricultural conversion of coastal wetlands and pollution from urban runoff further degrade the specialized estuarine environments where this species persists.

Threat summary

Habitat

This specialized fungal pathogen inhabits coastal saltmarshes and estuarine wetlands, where it parasitizes spike rush (Eleocharis) species in areas with specific salinity gradients. It requires the precise moisture and salt conditions found in tidal zones and brackish marsh edges along temperate coastlines.

MARINE· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Frequently asked questions

Why is Spike Rush Smut classified as Vulnerable?
Spike Rush Smut 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. Parvulago marina faces severe pressure from coastal development and habitat modification along its restricted saltmarsh range. Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threaten the delicate balance of salinity and moisture levels essential for this fungal pathogen's survival on its spike rush hosts. Agricultural conversion of coastal wetlands and pollution from urban runoff further degrade the specialized estuarine environments where this species persists.
Where does Spike Rush Smut live?
Spike Rush Smut 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 Spike Rush Smut?
The main threats to Spike Rush Smut 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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