Water Earwort
Scapania undulata
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Water Earwort faces significant threats from water pollution and eutrophication, which alter the chemical composition of its aquatic habitats and promote algal growth that can smother bryophyte communities. Habitat modification through river channelization, dam construction, and urban development has reduced the availability of suitable clean water environments. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events that can disrupt the delicate hydrological conditions this species requires.
Habitat
Water Earwort is an aquatic bryophyte that grows in clean, fast-flowing streams, rivers, and springs, typically attached to rocks and stones in well-oxygenated water. It prefers calcium-rich waters and is often found in upland and montane regions where water quality remains high.
Other threatened species in Scapaniaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Water Earwort classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Water Earwort live?
What are the main threats to Water Earwort?
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