Water Sphagnum
EN

Water Sphagnum

Sphagnum inundatum

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Water Sphagnum faces severe decline due to wetland drainage and agricultural conversion of its bog habitats across Europe and North America. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing temperatures, which disrupt the delicate hydrological balance essential for this species' survival. Nitrogen deposition from agricultural runoff and air pollution further degrades the nutrient-poor conditions that Water Sphagnum requires to compete effectively with other vegetation.

Threat summary

Habitat

Water Sphagnum inhabits permanently waterlogged areas of acidic bogs, fens, and wet heathlands, typically growing submerged or floating in shallow pools and ditches. This species requires consistently high water tables and nutrient-poor, acidic conditions with pH levels between 3.5 and 5.5.

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 Water Sphagnum classified as Endangered?
Water Sphagnum is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Water Sphagnum faces severe decline due to wetland drainage and agricultural conversion of its bog habitats across Europe and North America. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing temperatures, which disrupt the delicate hydrological balance essential for this species' survival. Nitrogen deposition from agricultural runoff and air pollution further degrades the nutrient-poor conditions that Water Sphagnum requires to compete effectively with other vegetation.
Where does Water Sphagnum live?
Water Sphagnum 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 Sphagnum?
The main threats to Water Sphagnum 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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