Easter Lichen
CR

Easter Lichen

Stereocaulon paschale

Unknown

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

Overview

Stereocaulon paschale is a species of lichen belonging to the family Stereocaulaceae.

Easter Lichen (Stereocaulon paschale) is critically endangered due to its extremely limited distribution on Easter Island (Rapa Nui), where it faces severe habitat degradation from invasive species, overgrazing, and human activities. The species' slow growth rate and specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and disturbances on this isolated Pacific island.

Threat summary

Habitat

Stereocaulon paschale is host to some lichenicolous fungi which infect various parts of the thallus. Most of these fungi have a Holarctic distribution. These fungi include:

* Arthonia stereocaulina, Infects the phyllocladia but rarely causes disease. * Catillaria stereocaulorum, Mainly infects the phyllocladia, which can become swollen and dark. It is common in the Arctic. * Cercidospora...

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
alvarplacodlavVU

alvarplacodlav

Squamarina gypsacea

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Easter Lichen classified as Critically Endangered?
Easter Lichen is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Easter Lichen (Stereocaulon paschale) is critically endangered due to its extremely limited distribution on Easter Island (Rapa Nui), where it faces severe habitat degradation from invasive species, overgrazing, and human activities. The species' slow growth rate and specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and disturbances on this isolated Pacific island.
Where does Easter Lichen live?
Easter 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 Easter Lichen?
The main threats to Easter 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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