Woolly Webcap
VU

Woolly Webcap

Cortinarius laniger

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Woolly Webcap faces severe pressure from habitat degradation in its specialized old-growth forest ecosystems. Logging activities and forest fragmentation have reduced the availability of mature coniferous stands with the specific soil chemistry and mycorrhizal networks this species requires. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns and soil moisture levels critical for fruiting body development.

Threat summary

Habitat

Cortinarius laniger inhabits mature coniferous forests, particularly those dominated by spruce and fir species, where it forms mycorrhizal associations with tree roots. The species requires specific soil conditions with high organic content and stable moisture levels, typically found in undisturbed old-growth forest ecosystems.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Cortinariaceae

VU

Cortinarius venustus

Unknown
VU

Cortinarius betulinus

Unknown
VU

Cortinarius fuscoperonatus

Unknown
VU

Cortinarius rubricosus

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown
Haplodrassus cognatusCR

Haplodrassus cognatus

Unknown
Yellow-breasted BuntingCR

Yellow-breasted Bunting

Emberiza aureola

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Woolly Webcap classified as Vulnerable?
Woolly Webcap 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 Woolly Webcap faces severe pressure from habitat degradation in its specialized old-growth forest ecosystems. Logging activities and forest fragmentation have reduced the availability of mature coniferous stands with the specific soil chemistry and mycorrhizal networks this species requires. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns and soil moisture levels critical for fruiting body development.
Where does Woolly Webcap live?
Woolly Webcap occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, and China (plus 17 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 Woolly Webcap?
The main threats to Woolly Webcap 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.