Spiky Bog-moss
VU

Spiky Bog-moss

Sphagnum squarrosum

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Spiky Bog-moss faces severe decline due to widespread drainage and destruction of peatland habitats for agriculture and forestry development. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the hydrological conditions essential for bog ecosystems, while atmospheric nitrogen deposition from industrial sources disrupts the nutrient-poor conditions this species requires. The species' slow growth rate and specialized habitat requirements make recovery particularly challenging once populations are lost.

Threat summary

Habitat

Spiky Bog-moss inhabits acidic, nutrient-poor peatlands including raised bogs, blanket bogs, and wet heathlands across northern and western Europe. The species requires consistently waterlogged conditions with low pH levels and forms distinctive carpets in bog pools and wet hollows.

Other threatened species in Sphagnaceae

Russow's SphagnumVU

Russow's Sphagnum

Sphagnum russowii

Unknown
Slender Cow-horn Bog-mossVU

Slender Cow-horn Bog-moss

Sphagnum subsecundum

Unknown
Red PeatmossVU

Red Peatmoss

Sphagnum rubellum

Unknown
VU

Sphagnum rotundatum

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

knopphodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria nodosa

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Spiky Bog-moss classified as Vulnerable?
Spiky Bog-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. Spiky Bog-moss faces severe decline due to widespread drainage and destruction of peatland habitats for agriculture and forestry development. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the hydrological conditions essential for bog ecosystems, while atmospheric nitrogen deposition from industrial sources disrupts the nutrient-poor conditions this species requires. The species' slow growth rate and specialized habitat requirements make recovery particularly challenging once populations are lost.
Where does Spiky Bog-moss live?
Spiky Bog-moss occurs in Åland Islands, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belarus, and Belgium (plus 53 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 Spiky Bog-moss?
The main threats to Spiky Bog-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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