Buellia schaereri
EN

Buellia schaereri

Local name: Scherer’s Button Lichen

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Scherer's Button Lichen faces severe decline due to air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and sulfur compounds that alter its substrate chemistry and disrupt its symbiotic relationship. Urban development and industrial activities have eliminated many of its historical sites, while climate change is shifting suitable habitat zones beyond the species' dispersal capabilities. The lichen's extremely slow growth rate and limited reproductive capacity make recovery from population losses exceptionally difficult.

Threat summary

Habitat

Scherer's Button Lichen grows on calcareous rocks and concrete substrates in urban and semi-urban environments, particularly favoring walls, monuments, and limestone outcrops. It requires specific microclimate conditions with moderate humidity and limited direct sunlight, typically found in sheltered locations within its restricted European range.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Calicium trachylioides

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Scherer’s Button Lichen classified as Endangered?
Scherer’s Button Lichen is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Scherer's Button Lichen faces severe decline due to air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition and sulfur compounds that alter its substrate chemistry and disrupt its symbiotic relationship. Urban development and industrial activities have eliminated many of its historical sites, while climate change is shifting suitable habitat zones beyond the species' dispersal capabilities. The lichen's extremely slow growth rate and limited reproductive capacity make recovery from population losses exceptionally difficult.
Where does Scherer’s Button Lichen live?
Scherer’s Button 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 Scherer’s Button Lichen?
The main threats to Scherer’s Button 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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