True Fox-sedge
EN

True Fox-sedge

Carex vulpina

Unknown

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

Overview

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

True Fox-sedge faces severe decline due to the drainage and conversion of its specialized wetland habitats for agriculture and urban development. The species is particularly vulnerable because it requires specific hydrological conditions found in seasonally flooded meadows and marsh edges, which have been extensively modified across its European range. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and water table levels critical for its reproductive success.

Threat summary

Habitat

True Fox-sedge inhabits seasonally flooded meadows, marsh margins, and wet grasslands with fluctuating water levels. It requires nutrient-rich, calcareous soils and thrives in areas that experience periodic inundation followed by drying phases during the growing season.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Cyperaceae

Round-headed Club-rushCR

Round-headed Club-rush

Scirpoides holoschoenus

Unknown
Tawny SedgeCR

Tawny Sedge

Carex hostiana

Unknown
Two-stamen SedgeCR

Two-stamen Sedge

Carex diandra

Unknown
Flat-sedgeVU

Flat-sedge

Blysmus compressus

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

knopphodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria nodosa

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is True Fox-sedge classified as Endangered?
True Fox-sedge is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. True Fox-sedge faces severe decline due to the drainage and conversion of its specialized wetland habitats for agriculture and urban development. The species is particularly vulnerable because it requires specific hydrological conditions found in seasonally flooded meadows and marsh edges, which have been extensively modified across its European range. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and water table levels critical for its reproductive success.
Where does True Fox-sedge live?
True Fox-sedge occurs in Åland Islands, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, and Belarus (plus 47 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to True Fox-sedge?
The main threats to True Fox-sedge 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.