blemished lichen
CR

blemished lichen

Phlyctis agelaea

Unknown

Photo: Photo: (c) Jurga Motiejūnaitė, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jurga Motiejūnaitė

Overview

Kønnet sølvlav (Phlyctis agelaea) is a crustose lichen species characterized by its distinctive silvery-gray thallus with scattered white soralia that produce powdery propagules. This epiphytic lichen plays a crucial ecological role in nutrient cycling and provides microhabitat for invertebrates while serving as an indicator of air quality in forest ecosystems.

Kønnet sølvlav (Phlyctis agelaea) is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of old-growth forests where this lichen species depends on specific microclimate conditions. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and acid rain, severely impacts lichen communities by altering bark chemistry and reducing air quality. Climate change further threatens this species by disrupting the delicate moisture and temperature balance required for lichen survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This lichen grows exclusively on the bark of mature deciduous trees, particularly favoring smooth-barked species like beech and maple in humid, old-growth forests. It requires stable microclimatic conditions with high humidity and minimal air pollution, typically found in undisturbed woodland areas with dense canopy cover.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Frequently asked questions

Why is blemished lichen classified as Critically Endangered?
blemished 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. Kønnet sølvlav (Phlyctis agelaea) is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of old-growth forests where this lichen species depends on specific microclimate conditions. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and acid rain, severely impacts lichen communities by altering bark chemistry and reducing air quality. Climate change further threatens this species by disrupting the delicate moisture and temperature balance required for lichen survival.
Where does blemished lichen live?
blemished 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 blemished lichen?
The main threats to blemished 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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