water-meadow grasshopper
VU

water-meadow grasshopper

Chorthippus montanus

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The water-meadow grasshopper faces severe population declines primarily due to the drainage and conversion of its specialized wetland habitats for agricultural intensification and urban development. Traditional hay meadow management practices that maintained optimal moisture levels have been largely abandoned, leading to habitat desiccation. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency in the species' already limited range.

Threat summary

Habitat

The water-meadow grasshopper inhabits wet grasslands, flood meadows, and marshy areas with high soil moisture content, particularly favoring traditionally managed hay meadows near rivers and streams. It requires specific microhabitat conditions with a mosaic of short and tall grasses maintained by periodic flooding or high water tables.

Other threatened species in Acrididae

Mottled GrasshopperVU

Mottled Grasshopper

Myrmeleotettix maculatus

Unknown
lesser field grasshopperVU

lesser field grasshopper

Chorthippus mollis

Unknown
Large Marsh GrasshopperVU

Large Marsh Grasshopper

Stethophyma grossum

Unknown
rattle grasshopperVU

rattle grasshopper

Psophus stridulus

Unknown

Threatened in Austria

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

Unknown
Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown
agnhodeedderkoppCR

agnhodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria alticeps

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is water-meadow grasshopper classified as Vulnerable?
water-meadow grasshopper 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. The water-meadow grasshopper faces severe population declines primarily due to the drainage and conversion of its specialized wetland habitats for agricultural intensification and urban development. Traditional hay meadow management practices that maintained optimal moisture levels have been largely abandoned, leading to habitat desiccation. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency in the species' already limited range.
Where does water-meadow grasshopper live?
water-meadow grasshopper occurs in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, France, and Germany (plus 12 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 water-meadow grasshopper?
The main threats to water-meadow grasshopper 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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