breekbaar heidestaartje
Cladonia callosa
Cladonia callosa, known as breekbaar heidestaartje, is a small fruticose lichen characterized by its delicate, branching structure and pale grayish-green coloration. This fragile lichen forms small cushions or scattered clusters on sandy soils and plays an important ecological role in stabilizing substrates and contributing to nutrient cycling in heathland ecosystems.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Michel Langeveld, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michel Langeveld
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Lecanorales
Family
Cladoniaceae
Genus
Cladonia
breekbaar heidestaartje belongs to the family Cladoniaceae, order Lecanorales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
Cladonia callosa, known as breekbaar heidestaartje, is a small fruticose lichen characterized by its delicate, branching structure and pale grayish-green coloration. This fragile lichen forms small cushions or scattered clusters on sandy soils and plays an important ecological role in stabilizing substrates and contributing to nutrient cycling in heathland ecosystems.
Cladonia callosa faces significant threats from habitat degradation and atmospheric pollution, which severely impact the specialized heathland and moorland ecosystems it depends on. Nitrogen deposition from agricultural and industrial sources alters soil chemistry, making conditions unsuitable for this sensitive lichen species. Climate change and increased recreational pressure on remaining heathland habitats further compound these threats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species occurs in nutrient-poor, acidic heathlands, moorlands, and sandy coastal dunes, typically growing on exposed soil and among low shrubs like heather. It requires well-drained, oligotrophic conditions and is particularly associated with traditional extensively managed heathland systems.
Threats
Heathland habitat loss and fragmentation
Nitrogen deposition and air pollution
Changes in traditional land management practices
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Recreational trampling and disturbance
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). breekbaar heidestaartje (Cladonia callosa). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/breekbaar-heidestaartje