Twisted Peat Moss
VU

Twisted Peat Moss

Sphagnum contortum

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Twisted Peat Moss faces severe pressure from peat bog drainage and commercial peat extraction, which destroys the waterlogged acidic conditions essential for Sphagnum survival. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns and increasing temperatures, leading to bog desiccation. Agricultural conversion and forestry plantations have eliminated many suitable wetland habitats across its range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Twisted Peat Moss inhabits acidic peat bogs, fens, and other waterlogged Sphagnum-dominated wetlands, typically in cool temperate regions. It requires consistently moist, nutrient-poor conditions with low pH levels and forms dense carpets in bog ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Sphagnaceae

Russow's SphagnumVU

Russow's Sphagnum

Sphagnum russowii

Unknown
Slender Cow-horn Bog-mossVU

Slender Cow-horn Bog-moss

Sphagnum subsecundum

Unknown
Red PeatmossVU

Red Peatmoss

Sphagnum rubellum

Unknown
VU

Sphagnum rotundatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Twisted Peat Moss classified as Vulnerable?
Twisted Peat 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 Peat Moss faces severe pressure from peat bog drainage and commercial peat extraction, which destroys the waterlogged acidic conditions essential for Sphagnum survival. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns and increasing temperatures, leading to bog desiccation. Agricultural conversion and forestry plantations have eliminated many suitable wetland habitats across its range.
Where does Twisted Peat Moss live?
Twisted Peat 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 Peat Moss?
The main threats to Twisted Peat 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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