Thick-nerved Apple-moss
VU

Thick-nerved Apple-moss

Philonotis calcarea

UnknownNTEUNTEU

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

Overview

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

Thick-nerved Apple-moss faces severe decline due to habitat degradation from agricultural intensification and drainage of wetland areas. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in water chemistry and hydrological patterns, as it requires specific calcium-rich, alkaline conditions found in calcareous springs and seepages. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns and groundwater levels that maintain its specialized habitat requirements.

Threat summary

Habitat

Thick-nerved Apple-moss inhabits calcareous springs, seepages, and wet alkaline soils, typically in areas with consistent moisture and high calcium content. It is found in specialized wetland microhabitats including spring-fed marshes, calcareous fens, and areas around limestone outcrops where mineral-rich groundwater emerges.

Other threatened species in Bartramiaceae

Bog Apple-mossVU

Bog Apple-moss

Philonotis marchica

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Thick-nerved Apple-moss classified as Vulnerable?
Thick-nerved Apple-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. Thick-nerved Apple-moss faces severe decline due to habitat degradation from agricultural intensification and drainage of wetland areas. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in water chemistry and hydrological patterns, as it requires specific calcium-rich, alkaline conditions found in calcareous springs and seepages. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns and groundwater levels that maintain its specialized habitat requirements.
Where does Thick-nerved Apple-moss live?
Thick-nerved Apple-moss 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 Thick-nerved Apple-moss?
The main threats to Thick-nerved Apple-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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