elegant disc lichen
CR

elegant disc lichen

Buellia elegans

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Buellia elegans faces severe threats from air pollution and acid rain, which directly damage its sensitive lichen thalli and disrupt the symbiotic relationship between fungal and algal components. Urban development and habitat destruction have eliminated many suitable substrates, while climate change alters the specific microclimate conditions this species requires for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This crustose lichen grows on the bark of deciduous trees, particularly in old-growth forests and mature woodland environments with stable humidity and minimal air pollution. It requires specific bark chemistry and microclimate conditions found on aged tree trunks in undisturbed forest ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Caliciaceae

Calicium trachylioidesCR

Calicium trachylioides

Unknown
VU

disc lichen

Buellia epigaea

Unknown
CR

Buellia violaceofusca

Unknown
Candle-wax Stubble LichenEN

Candle-wax Stubble Lichen

Calicium lenticulare

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is elegant disc lichen classified as Critically Endangered?
elegant disc 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. Buellia elegans faces severe threats from air pollution and acid rain, which directly damage its sensitive lichen thalli and disrupt the symbiotic relationship between fungal and algal components. Urban development and habitat destruction have eliminated many suitable substrates, while climate change alters the specific microclimate conditions this species requires for survival.
Where does elegant disc lichen live?
elegant disc 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 elegant disc lichen?
The main threats to elegant disc 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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