VU

Twisted Moss

Tortella tortuosa

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Overview

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

Twisted Moss faces significant pressure from habitat degradation caused by agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency, which directly impacts this moisture-dependent species. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition from industrial sources, disrupts the delicate chemical balance of the calcareous substrates this moss requires for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Twisted Moss typically grows on calcareous rocks, limestone outcrops, and chalk cliffs in open, well-lit environments. It also colonizes disturbed calcareous soils, old walls, and quarry sites where calcium carbonate is present in the substrate.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Twisted Moss classified as Vulnerable?
Twisted 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. Twisted Moss faces significant pressure from habitat degradation caused by agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency, which directly impacts this moisture-dependent species. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition from industrial sources, disrupts the delicate chemical balance of the calcareous substrates this moss requires for survival.
Where does Twisted Moss live?
Twisted 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 Twisted Moss?
The main threats to Twisted 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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