Lichen  (Bacidia incompta)

Prior to 1960, the decline of this lichen was largely due to air pollution and the felling of wayside or parkland trees (5). After 1960, the effects of Dutch elm disease took a huge toll on the species, as the disease destroyed many populations of the main host tree of this lichen (5).

A UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species, Bacidia incompta has a Species Action Plan, which is lead by the wild plant charity Plantlife; this plan aims to maintain the existing populations and to encourage the species to spread by providing suitable habitat (2). In addition, Plantlife has included this lichen in its Back from the Brink programme (6).