Summer Puffball
VU

Summer Puffball

Bovista aestivalis

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Summer Puffball faces severe decline due to intensive agricultural practices that destroy its grassland habitat through plowing, fertilizer application, and conversion to monoculture crops. Nitrogen deposition from agricultural runoff and air pollution alters soil chemistry, making conditions unsuitable for this nitrogen-sensitive fungus. Urban development and infrastructure expansion continue to fragment and eliminate the species' remaining calcareous grassland sites across its European range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Summer Puffball occurs in nutrient-poor, calcareous grasslands, particularly short-turf chalk downs and limestone pastures with low nitrogen levels. The species requires well-drained, alkaline soils and is typically found in areas with minimal disturbance and traditional extensive grazing management.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Lycoperdaceae

VU

Least Puffball

Bovista pusilla

Unknown
VU

Bovista cretacea

Unknown
Feld-BovistCR

Feld-Bovist

Bovista graveolens

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Summer Puffball classified as Vulnerable?
Summer Puffball 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. The Summer Puffball faces severe decline due to intensive agricultural practices that destroy its grassland habitat through plowing, fertilizer application, and conversion to monoculture crops. Nitrogen deposition from agricultural runoff and air pollution alters soil chemistry, making conditions unsuitable for this nitrogen-sensitive fungus. Urban development and infrastructure expansion continue to fragment and eliminate the species' remaining calcareous grassland sites across its European range.
Where does Summer Puffball live?
Summer Puffball 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 Summer Puffball?
The main threats to Summer Puffball 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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