alvarplacodlav
VU

alvarplacodlav

Squamarina gypsacea

Unknown

Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Heikel B., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Heikel B.

Overview

Squamarina gypsacea is a distinctive crustose lichen that forms thin, grayish-white to pale yellow crusts on rock surfaces. This slow-growing species plays an important ecological role as a pioneer colonizer of bare substrates and contributes to soil formation through gradual rock weathering processes.

Squamarina gypsacea faces significant threats from habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized gypsum-rich environments. Mining activities, urban development, and infrastructure projects pose particular risks to the limited gypsum outcrops and semi-arid landscapes where this lichen occurs. Climate change and altered precipitation patterns may further stress populations already restricted to specific geological substrates.

Threat summary

Habitat

This lichen species occurs on gypsum-rich soils, rocks, and outcrops in semi-arid and Mediterranean climates. It typically inhabits open, sun-exposed areas with calcareous or gypsiferous substrates, often in steppe-like environments and dry grasslands.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Stereocaulaceae

Pixie Foam LichenCR

Pixie Foam Lichen

Stereocaulon pileatum

Unknown
EN

Scaly Breck-lichen

Squamarina lentigera

Unknown
Stereocaulon coniophyllumCR

Stereocaulon coniophyllum

Unknown
Easter LichenCR

Easter Lichen

Stereocaulon paschale

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is alvarplacodlav classified as Vulnerable?
alvarplacodlav 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. Squamarina gypsacea faces significant threats from habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized gypsum-rich environments. Mining activities, urban development, and infrastructure projects pose particular risks to the limited gypsum outcrops and semi-arid landscapes where this lichen occurs. Climate change and altered precipitation patterns may further stress populations already restricted to specific geological substrates.
Where does alvarplacodlav live?
alvarplacodlav 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 alvarplacodlav?
The main threats to alvarplacodlav 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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