Tawny Sedge
Carex hostiana
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Poales
Family
Cyperaceae
Genus
Carex
Tawny Sedge belongs to the family Cyperaceae, order Poales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Tawny Sedge faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat loss from agricultural intensification, drainage of wetlands, and changes in traditional land management practices. The species' specialized requirements for calcium-rich, seasonally wet soils make it particularly vulnerable to hydrological changes and nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Tawny Sedge occurs in calcium-rich wetlands including wet meadows, fens, dune slacks, and marshy grasslands that experience seasonal flooding. The species requires base-rich, nutrient-poor soils and benefits from light grazing or mowing that maintains open conditions.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Tawny Sedge faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat loss from agricultural intensification, drainage of wetlands, and changes in traditional land management practices. The species' specialized requirements for calcium-rich, seasonally wet soils make it particularly vulnerable to hydrological changes and nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff.
Agricultural intensification and fertilizer runoff
Hydrological changes from climate change
Loss of traditional grazing management
Wetland drainage and habitat conversion
Habitat fragmentation
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Tawny Sedge (Carex hostiana). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/tawny-sedge