Totter Grass
VU

Totter Grass

Briza media

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Totter Grass faces severe decline due to agricultural intensification and the widespread conversion of traditional hay meadows to improved grasslands. The species is particularly vulnerable to nitrogen enrichment from fertilizers, which favors competitive grasses that outcompete this delicate perennial. Abandonment of traditional low-intensity grazing and mowing regimes has led to scrubland encroachment, while urban development continues to fragment remaining suitable habitats across its European range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Totter Grass thrives in nutrient-poor, calcareous grasslands, traditional hay meadows, and chalk downs across Europe. It requires low-intensity management through periodic mowing or light grazing to prevent competitive exclusion by more vigorous grass species.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Totter Grass classified as Vulnerable?
Totter Grass 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. Totter Grass faces severe decline due to agricultural intensification and the widespread conversion of traditional hay meadows to improved grasslands. The species is particularly vulnerable to nitrogen enrichment from fertilizers, which favors competitive grasses that outcompete this delicate perennial. Abandonment of traditional low-intensity grazing and mowing regimes has led to scrubland encroachment, while urban development continues to fragment remaining suitable habitats across its European range.
Where does Totter Grass live?
Totter Grass 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 Totter Grass?
The main threats to Totter Grass 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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