Felt Horn Lichen
VU

Felt Horn Lichen

Cladonia phyllophora

Unknown

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

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Felt Horn Lichen faces severe decline due to air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and sulfur compounds that alter soil chemistry and disrupt the delicate balance required for lichen growth. Habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural intensification has eliminated many suitable sites, while climate change creates increasingly unsuitable conditions through altered precipitation patterns and temperature extremes that stress this slow-growing species.

Threat summary

Habitat

Felt Horn Lichen grows on acidic soils in heathlands, moorlands, and open woodlands, particularly favoring sandy or peaty substrates with low nutrient levels. It typically occurs in areas with clean air and minimal human disturbance, often forming part of lichen-rich communities in upland and coastal environments.

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
Cladonia symphycarpaCR

Cladonia symphycarpa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Felt Horn Lichen classified as Vulnerable?
Felt Horn 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. Felt Horn Lichen faces severe decline due to air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and sulfur compounds that alter soil chemistry and disrupt the delicate balance required for lichen growth. Habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural intensification has eliminated many suitable sites, while climate change creates increasingly unsuitable conditions through altered precipitation patterns and temperature extremes that stress this slow-growing species.
Where does Felt Horn Lichen live?
Felt Horn 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 Felt Horn Lichen?
The main threats to Felt Horn 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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