Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.153433
Element CodePMPOT03010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderNajadales
FamilyPotamogetonaceae
GenusPotamogeton
Other Common NamesAlpine Pondweed (EN) alpine pondweed (EN) Potamot alpin (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-09-27
Change Date1985-04-10
Edition Date2024-09-27
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPotamogeton alpinus is a perennial aquatic forb occurring nearly worldwide in cold, shallow, spring-fed waters of various aquatic habitats, including backwaters, bogs, lakes, streams, and marshes. In North America, it occurs throughout Alaska and all of Canada, south to California, east to Colorado, north to South Dakota, east through New Jersey, and north to Maine in the United States. There are over 3,000 occurrences of this taxon, which are potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, pollution, recreational activities, invasive species, climate change, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Potamogeton alpinus is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPotamogeton alpinus has a global native distribution (POWO 2024). In North America, it occurs throughout Alaska and all of Canada, south to California, east to Colorado, north to South Dakota, east through New Jersey, and north to Maine in the United States (FNA 2000). Range extent was estimated to be over 73 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 3,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Potamogeton alpinus is likely threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, pollution, recreational activities, invasive species, climate change, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.