Tartaric Saucer Lichen
EN

Tartaric Saucer Lichen

Ochrolechia tartarea

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Tartaric Saucer Lichen faces severe decline primarily due to air pollution, particularly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen compounds that alter its substrate chemistry and disrupt its photosynthetic processes. Habitat destruction from coastal development and quarrying activities has eliminated many historical populations, while climate change is shifting suitable temperature and humidity ranges beyond the species' adaptive capacity. The lichen's extremely slow growth rate and limited dispersal ability make recovery from population losses exceptionally difficult.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ochrolechia tartarea grows exclusively on siliceous rocks and stone walls in coastal and montane environments, particularly favoring exposed surfaces with moderate moisture levels. The species requires specific microclimate conditions with clean air and stable substrate chemistry, typically found on sea cliffs, rocky outcrops, and ancient stone structures in temperate regions.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Ochrolechiaceae

VU

Powdery Saucer Lichen

Ochrolechia androgyna

Unknown
VU

wrattige tandpastakorst

Ochrolechia subviridis

Unknown
bleikkorkjeEN

bleikkorkje

Ochrolechia pallescens

Unknown
Fjeld-blegskivelavEN

Fjeld-blegskivelav

Ochrolechia frigida

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Tartaric Saucer Lichen classified as Endangered?
Tartaric Saucer 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. The Tartaric Saucer Lichen faces severe decline primarily due to air pollution, particularly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen compounds that alter its substrate chemistry and disrupt its photosynthetic processes. Habitat destruction from coastal development and quarrying activities has eliminated many historical populations, while climate change is shifting suitable temperature and humidity ranges beyond the species' adaptive capacity. The lichen's extremely slow growth rate and limited dispersal ability make recovery from population losses exceptionally difficult.
Where does Tartaric Saucer Lichen live?
Tartaric Saucer 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 Tartaric Saucer Lichen?
The main threats to Tartaric Saucer 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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