Tall Oatgrass
VU

Tall Oatgrass

Arrhenatherum elatius

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Tall Oatgrass faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and habitat conversion, which has reduced the availability of traditional hay meadows and grassland margins where it naturally occurs. Urban development and infrastructure expansion continue to fragment remaining populations, while changes in grazing patterns and mowing regimes alter the competitive balance in grassland communities. Climate change may further stress populations by altering precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency in its preferred temperate habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

Tall Oatgrass typically inhabits nutrient-rich grasslands, hay meadows, road verges, and field margins across temperate regions. It thrives in well-drained soils and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade conditions, often forming dense tussocks in areas with moderate disturbance.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Tall Oatgrass classified as Vulnerable?
Tall Oatgrass 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. Tall Oatgrass faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and habitat conversion, which has reduced the availability of traditional hay meadows and grassland margins where it naturally occurs. Urban development and infrastructure expansion continue to fragment remaining populations, while changes in grazing patterns and mowing regimes alter the competitive balance in grassland communities. Climate change may further stress populations by altering precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency in its preferred temperate habitats.
Where does Tall Oatgrass live?
Tall Oatgrass 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 Tall Oatgrass?
The main threats to Tall Oatgrass 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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