Ach.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.125751
Element CodeNLLEC5P420
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryFungus
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomFungi
PhylumAscomycota
ClassLecanoromycetes
OrderLecanorales
FamilyParmeliaceae
GenusUsnea
SynonymsDolichousnea longissima(Ach.) Articus
Concept ReferenceEsslinger, T.L. and R.S. Egan. 1995. A sixth checklist of the lichen-forming, lichenicolous, and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. The Bryologist 98(4): 467-549.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2017-04-20
Change Date2017-04-20
Edition Date2002-11-30
Edition AuthorsJuanita A. R. Ladyman, Ph.D.; rev. Larry Morse (2001), rev. D. Stone (2002), rev. M. Fellows (2004).
Threat ImpactVery high - high
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsUsnea longissima occurs in open or shaded, humid forests, often near lakes or streams in mountain ranges on three continents. Although U. longissima appears to have extensive range and locally frequent occurrence, it is commercially collected from the wild and its potential habitat is continually declining. In addition, it has been described as one of the most sensitive of all lichens to air pollution, an ongoing threat. Usnea longissima is threatened and/or extirpated from much of its historic range.
Range Extent CommentsUsnea longissima is restricted to boreal coniferous regions where it has an incompletely circumpolar distribution, with occurrences in Europe, Asia, North America (Motyka 1936-38, Ahti 1977a) and Africa (by Tuckerman 1848, as reported in Keon 2001). It has been collected from mountains in China, India, Canada (British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario), Indonesia, Europe (Scandinavia and Spain) and the USA (Alaska, far north western, and New England states). The distribution was previously considered to be continental (Ahlner 1948, Gams 1961); from oceanic parts of Norway (Jorgensen & Ovstedal 1975, Gauslaa et al. 1992), and from the USA the species is more common near coasts (Ahti 1977a, Esseen et al. 1981). It has been reported from slopes above 3200 m in the Hengduan Mountains, above 3800 m in the greater Liangshan Mountains in southwestern Sichuan province, and also above 2200 m at the western edge of the Sichuan basin, China. It has also been collected from the Simla Mountains of India. In the USA, the range is disjunct and includes Alaska to California and west of the Cascade Range crest (www.fs.fed.us) and the New England states, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont (members.aol.com; see web citations). The distribution in Scandinavia was mapped by Ahlner (1948) and updated distribution data are given by Esseen & Ericson (1982), Esseen (1991), and Andersson & Williamson (1993).
Threat Impact CommentsUsnea longissima is impacted by habitat loss and habitat degradation including: air pollution and commercial harvesting. It is extremely sensitive to air pollution (Insarova et al. 1992). Previously believed to have specific habitat demands (Esseen 1981), low dispersal ability may be the greater threat to U. longissima in the wake of environmental disturbance (Keon 2001). The global range of U. longissima is clearly declining as it has been extirpated from much of its range (e.g., most of Europe and many parts of Scandinavia). Although the U.S. Pacific Northwest remains a relative stronghold for the species, U. longissima faces increasing pressure in the region from several factors common to all parts of its range, i.e. harvest of host trees (Haugan-Reidaret et al., 1994), air pollution, and land development (www.toyen.uio.no; see web citations). On CA red list.