Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen
VU

Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen

Cladonia carneola

Unknown

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

Overview

Cladonia carneola or the crowned cup lichen is a species of fruticose, cup lichen in the family Cladoniaceae. It was described as a new species by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries. Lichenicolous fungi that have been recorded growing on Cladonia carneola include Phaeopyxis punctum and Taeniolella beschiana.

Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen faces significant threats from habitat degradation due to air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and sulfur compounds that alter soil chemistry and disrupt lichen communities. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature fluctuations that affect the delicate moisture balance required for lichen survival. Urban development and agricultural intensification continue to fragment and destroy suitable habitat across its range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species typically occurs on acidic soil, sandy banks, and disturbed ground in open habitats including heathlands, coastal dunes, roadside verges, and forest clearings. It prefers well-drained, nutrient-poor soils in areas with moderate to high light exposure.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Cladoniaceae

Star-tipped Reindeer LichenEN

Star-tipped Reindeer Lichen

Cladonia stellaris

Unknown
Cladonia subcervicornisVU

Cladonia subcervicornis

Unknown
VU

Humble Pixie-cup Lichen

Cladonia humilis

Unknown
Felt Horn LichenVU

Felt Horn Lichen

Cladonia phyllophora

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen classified as Vulnerable?
Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen 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. Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen faces significant threats from habitat degradation due to air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and sulfur compounds that alter soil chemistry and disrupt lichen communities. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature fluctuations that affect the delicate moisture balance required for lichen survival. Urban development and agricultural intensification continue to fragment and destroy suitable habitat across its range.
Where does Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen live?
Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen 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 Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen?
The main threats to Crowned Pixie-cup Lichen 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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