Cladonia symphycarpa
Local name: Kalkhede-bægerlav
Photo: Photo: (c) Andreas Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Andreas Berger
Overview
Kalkhede-bægerlav (Cladonia symphycarpa) is a distinctive cup lichen characterized by its pale, chalky-white to grayish podetia (cup-like structures) that often bear bright red apothecia (fruiting bodies). This slow-growing lichen forms small colonies on calcareous substrates and plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling and soil stabilization in calcium-rich environments.
Cladonia symphycarpa is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized coastal and inland sandy environments. The species is extremely sensitive to air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition, which alters the chemical composition of its substrate and disrupts the delicate ecological balance required for its survival.
Habitat
Cladonia symphycarpa grows exclusively on exposed limestone outcrops, chalk cliffs, and calcareous soil in open, well-lit areas with minimal vegetation cover. It requires stable, undisturbed calcium-rich substrates with specific pH conditions and low levels of atmospheric pollution.
Other threatened species in Cladoniaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Kalkhede-bægerlav classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Kalkhede-bægerlav live?
What are the main threats to Kalkhede-bægerlav?
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