Chaenotheca ferruginea

A very widespread species of cool to temperate areas worldwide. Although the distribution and population sizes of this species are large enough to qualify for G5, the significant decline of the species since pre-industrial times may justify reducing the rank to G4.

Global distribution "Not uncommon in southern Norway and Sweden and southern and central Finland. More rare in Denmark [...] A very widespread species in temperate to cool temperate areas of both hemispheres (Europe, North America, Asia, Australasia and South America" (Tibell 1999). Within North America, widespread in temperate and boreal regions.

Number of known occurences worldwide is probably > 500 (including many historic); Number of known occurrences in North America is probably ca. 300; Number of known occurrences in California = 1+; Number of known occurrences in Oregon = 14+; Number of known occurrences in Washington = 1+; Number of known occurrences in British Columbia = 23. Rikkinen (2003?) reports on 25 locations from the region. Although the number of extant occurrences worldwide is unknown, the North American occurrences (collections) are recent and are mostly extant.

Worldwide, the species has gone through drastic declines since pre-industrial times. The Pacific Northwest, due to logging, has been no exception. However, the rate of loss in the Pacific Northwest has slowed. Although little is known about the reproductive and dispersal biology of this species, it is thought that the species can overcome some habitat fragmentation and, at this point, is fairly secure from extirpation or extinction. However, given the strong old-growth association of this species, it should not be ignored. That, combined with it's relative infrequency in the Pacific Northwest warrents consideration in conservation actions.