Welsh Lichen Red List - Lichens of Wales

Featured species
These two species have been selected to illustrate the
value of producing a Lichen Red List for Wales.
Pitted Lungwort (Lobaria scrobiculata)
Least Concern in Great Britain but Critically
Endangered in Wales
RaY WOODS/PLaNTLIFE
This large and distinctive foliose lichen of tree trunks and
branches was once probably widespread in Wales.
Sensitive to sulphur dioxide pollution and other
atmospheric pollutants it is the least abundant of the
four lungwort species. It is now confined to a scatter of
ancient trees and the trunks and branches of a very few
younger trees in ravine sites in northwest Wales where it
is sheltered from major sources of atmospheric
pollutants. There have been no reports of fertile material
recently and all known populations, if they are currently
reproducing, must do so vegetatively.
a significant contraction in its range has recently
occurred with the loss of populations in
Montgomeryshire, Pembrokeshire and mid Cardiganshire.
Ciliate Strap-lichen (Heterodermia leucomela)
Endangered in Great Britain but Vulnerable in Wales
a lichen widespread in the tropics, it reaches the
northernmost edge of its world range on anglesey. In
Wales it is found scrambling amongst the low growth of
wind-pruned vegetation on almost frost-free sea cliffs,
whilst in the tropics it grows on twigs in the forest
canopy. It has recently been discovered in two new sites
in Pembrokeshire to add to its former known range of
Bardsey, The Lleyn and anglesey. all its known sites are
sympathetically managed.
Cover image
Tree lungwort (Lobaria pulmonaria)
RaY WOODS/PLaNTLIFE
all images © Ray Woods