duinleermos
Peltigera ponojensis
Peltigera ponojensis is a foliose lichen species with distinctive gray-green to brownish thalli that can reach several centimeters across, featuring prominent veining on the underside. This nitrogen-fixing lichen forms symbiotic relationships with cyanobacteria, contributing essential nutrients to nutrient-poor ecosystems and serving as an indicator of environmental health.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Jason Hollinger, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Peltigerales
Family
Peltigeraceae
Genus
Peltigera
duinleermos belongs to the family Peltigeraceae, order Peltigerales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
Peltigera ponojensis is a foliose lichen species with distinctive gray-green to brownish thalli that can reach several centimeters across, featuring prominent veining on the underside. This nitrogen-fixing lichen forms symbiotic relationships with cyanobacteria, contributing essential nutrients to nutrient-poor ecosystems and serving as an indicator of environmental health.
Peltigera ponojensis faces severe decline due to habitat degradation from atmospheric pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and acid rain, which alter the chemical composition of its substrate. Climate change and increased frequency of extreme weather events further threaten the delicate balance required for this lichen's survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This lichen inhabits stabilized coastal sand dunes and sandy grasslands, typically growing on moss-covered sand or among sparse vegetation in calcium-rich maritime environments. It thrives in areas with moderate moisture levels and some protection from direct salt spray, often found in dune slacks and the landward edges of coastal dune systems.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Peltigera ponojensis faces severe decline due to habitat degradation from atmospheric pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and acid rain, which alter the chemical composition of its substrate. Climate change and increased frequency of extreme weather events further threaten the delicate balance required for this lichen's survival.
Air quality degradation
Atmospheric pollution and nitrogen deposition
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Habitat fragmentation and loss
Community Sightings
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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). duinleermos (Peltigera ponojensis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/duinleermos