Wulf's Peat Moss
VU

Wulf's Peat Moss

Sphagnum wulfianum

UnknownLCEULCEU

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

Overview

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

Wulf's Sphagnum faces severe pressure from peat bog drainage and commercial peat extraction across its limited European range. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased temperatures that disrupt the delicate hydrological balance essential for sphagnum bog ecosystems. Habitat fragmentation from agricultural expansion and forestry activities further isolates remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and resilience.

Threat summary

Habitat

Wulf's Sphagnum inhabits acidic peat bogs and wet heathlands across northern and central Europe, requiring consistently waterlogged conditions with low nutrient levels. The species forms dense carpets in oligotrophic mires and raised bogs, often associated with other specialized bog flora in these highly sensitive ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Sphagnaceae

Red Peat MossVU

Red Peat Moss

Sphagnum rubellum

Unknown
VU

Sphagnum rotundatum

Unknown
VU

Sphagnum falcatulum

Unknown
VU

Sphagnum curvatulum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Wulf's Peat Moss classified as Vulnerable?
Wulf's Peat Moss 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. Wulf's Sphagnum faces severe pressure from peat bog drainage and commercial peat extraction across its limited European range. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased temperatures that disrupt the delicate hydrological balance essential for sphagnum bog ecosystems. Habitat fragmentation from agricultural expansion and forestry activities further isolates remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and resilience.
Where does Wulf's Peat Moss live?
Wulf's Peat Moss 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 Wulf's Peat Moss?
The main threats to Wulf's Peat Moss 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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