Macoun's cephalozia
Cephalozia macounii
Photo: Photo: (c) M. Goff, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by M. Goff
Overview
Macoun's cephalozia is a tiny leafy liverwort with distinctive deeply-lobed leaves arranged in two rows along delicate stems. This diminutive bryophyte forms small patches or scattered shoots on decaying wood and plays an important role in forest microhabitat ecosystems by contributing to nutrient cycling and providing microhabitat for invertebrates.
Macoun's cephalozia is critically endangered due to its extremely limited distribution and vulnerability to habitat disturbance. This tiny liverwort is known from only a few locations in North America, where it faces threats from human activities and environmental changes that can easily destroy its specialized microhabitat requirements.
Habitat
Macoun's cephalozia grows exclusively on well-decayed logs and stumps in old-growth and mature coniferous forests, particularly favoring shaded, humid microsites. It requires consistently moist conditions and is typically found in undisturbed forest environments with stable temperature and humidity regimes.
Other threatened species in Cephaloziaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Macoun's cephalozia classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Macoun's cephalozia live?
What are the main threats to Macoun's cephalozia?
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