strawflower
VU

strawflower

Helichrysum arenarium

UnknownNTEUNTEU

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

Overview

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

Helichrysum arenarium faces severe population declines across its European range due to intensive agricultural practices that have eliminated traditional extensive grazing systems essential for maintaining its sandy grassland habitat. Urban development and infrastructure expansion have fragmented remaining populations, while the abandonment of low-intensity farming has led to scrubland succession that outcompetes this light-demanding species. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns in the already drought-prone sandy soils where strawflower thrives.

Threat summary

Habitat

Helichrysum arenarium inhabits dry, sandy grasslands, coastal dunes, and heathlands across temperate Europe, particularly favoring nutrient-poor soils with sparse vegetation cover. The species requires open, sun-exposed sites maintained by traditional grazing or natural disturbance regimes that prevent woody encroachment.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is strawflower classified as Vulnerable?
strawflower 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. Helichrysum arenarium faces severe population declines across its European range due to intensive agricultural practices that have eliminated traditional extensive grazing systems essential for maintaining its sandy grassland habitat. Urban development and infrastructure expansion have fragmented remaining populations, while the abandonment of low-intensity farming has led to scrubland succession that outcompetes this light-demanding species. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns in the already drought-prone sandy soils where strawflower thrives.
Where does strawflower live?
strawflower 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 strawflower?
The main threats to strawflower 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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