Water-soldier
CR

Water-soldier

Stratiotes aloides

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Water-soldier faces severe population declines across its range due to habitat destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Eutrophication from agricultural runoff and urban pollution has dramatically altered water chemistry in many of its native habitats, while drainage of wetlands for development has eliminated critical breeding and feeding areas.

Threat summary

Habitat

Shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, and canals with neutral to alkaline water conditions. Typically found in nutrient-poor to moderately nutrient-rich waters where it can form floating mats or root in soft sediments at depths of 0.5-3 meters.

TERRESTRIAL· majorFRESHWATER· majorFRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in Hydrocharitaceae

Wild CeleryCR

Wild Celery

Vallisneria americana

Unknown
CR

Najas arguta

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Wavy WaternymphCR

Wavy Waternymph

Najas flexilis

Unknown
Smaller NajasCR

Smaller Najas

Najas minor

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Water-soldier classified as Critically Endangered?
Water-soldier is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Water-soldier faces severe population declines across its range due to habitat destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Eutrophication from agricultural runoff and urban pollution has dramatically altered water chemistry in many of its native habitats, while drainage of wetlands for development has eliminated critical breeding and feeding areas.
Where does Water-soldier live?
Water-soldier 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 Water-soldier?
The main threats to Water-soldier 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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