Lobaria pulmonaria

Lobaria pulmonaria is the most common Lobaria in North America. This lichen species occurs from Alaska south to central California and from the Great Lakes region and Appalachia to Newfoundland. This species typically grows in mature, relatively shaded forests on a variety of substrates. It and other Lobaria species are good indicators of rich, very old-growth forests and are good indicators of good air quality (Brodo et al. 2000). While it appears that this species is stable in North America, it is declining in Europe.

Is found in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa (Zoller et al. 1999). Occurs in North America on both coasts. In the east, it ranges from Newfoundland and Labrador south to Virginia, and inland to Kentucky and Indiana. In the west, it ranges from Newfoundland and Labrador east throughout much of Quebec and Ontario and south through Michigan. It does not occur in the central part of North America. In the west, it occurs from coastal Alaska south to British Columbia, where it occurs inland, and south through Washington, coastal Oregon, and California (Brodo et al. 2000).

In Switzerland, Lobaria pulmonaria is in decline due to habitat destruction, changes in forest management, and air pollution. It is sensitive to acidic air pollution and ozone. The genetic diversity in some populations is low (Zoller et al. 1999)

It has been noted in Brodo et al. (2001) and Grube and Kroken (2000) that this species is declining in Europe, but no information was provided regarding the causes. Grube and Kroken (2000) note that the genetic diversity of this species in Europe is declining since individuals that are remaining are only asexual morphs, and few polymorphic loci were found (which represent genetic variability).