Boreal felt lichen  (Erioderma pedicellatum)

Threats

In addition to being highly sensitive to atmospheric pollutants such as acid rain, the boreal felt lichen is extremely vulnerable to habitat loss (1) (2). Logging not only removes lichen substrate, but also alters the microclimate of the forest, a factor to which this species is particularly susceptible (4). Owing to the impacts of habitat loss and air pollution, the Atlantic population has declined by more than 90 percent over the past two decades (2) (3).

Conservation

The Atlantic population of the boreal felt lichen is protected in Canada under the Federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), and is the focus of an ongoing recovery strategy (2). Crucially, efforts are being made, through land purchases and agreements with landowners, to formally protect areas of forest that are home to this rare species (2) (3). Furthermore, conservationists are engaging with private and government forest managers to encourage their participation in the mapping of boreal felt lichen habitat and the implementation of management plans that will prevent further habitat loss (2).

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