CRCritically Endangered

Fringed Kidney Lichen

Nephroma helveticum

Unknown

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

Overview

Nephroma helveticum, the fringed kidney lichen, is a species of cyanolichen in the family Peltigeraceae. First described by Erik Acharius in 1810, it is part of a complex taxonomic group that includes N. tropicum.

Modern molecular studies have shown that material previously identified as N. helveticum actually comprises two distinct species. The species occurs in moist, shady environments, particularly in old-growth forests.

In North America, it is found at low elevations in riparian areas with coastal influence, while in Europe, where it is extremely rare, it occurs in montane-oceanic regions and shows a preference for basic rock substrates. In Nordic countries, it is known from approximately 20 localities across Finland, Norway and Sweden, where it is considered critically endangered.

Fringed Kidney Lichen (Nephroma helveticum) is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of old-growth forests where it depends on specific microclimate conditions. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and acid rain, severely impacts this pollution-sensitive species. Climate change further threatens its survival by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for its growth.
Threat summary

Habitat

Nephroma helveticum is a species complex with a cosmopolitan distribution. It has a distinct habitat preference across its range. In North America, it typically occurs in moist, shady environments at low elevations, particularly in old-growth riparian forests and areas with strong coastal influence.

In Europe, where it is extremely rare, the species is characterised as montane-oceanic and is...

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Nephromataceae

Mustard Kidney Lichen

Nephroma laevigatum

Unknown

Powdery Kidney Lichen

Nephroma parile

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Fringed Kidney Lichen classified as Critically Endangered?

Fringed Kidney 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. Fringed Kidney Lichen (Nephroma helveticum) is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of old-growth forests where it depends on specific microclimate conditions. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and acid rain, severely impacts this pollution-sensitive species. Climate change further threatens its survival by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for its growth.

Where does Fringed Kidney Lichen live?

Fringed Kidney 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 Fringed Kidney Lichen?

The main threats to Fringed Kidney 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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