Air Pollution Sensitivity Ratings for Macrolichens in the US Pacific NW
Nitrogen-containing air pollutants are the chief pollutants of widespread ecological concern in the Pacific Northwest. The ratings below are based on regional studies by the US Forest Service of western Oregon and Washington. Other pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, fluorine, ozone, metals, and acidic deposition are of localized concern. We report literature ratings for these pollutants. See Understanding Air Pollution Effects on Lichens for additional details about regional emissions, lichen responses, and calculating and using the ratings. All literature cited here can be found in our annotated bibliography.
Key to Lichen Sensitivity Ratings
Nitrogen Requirement: O = oligotroph, M = mesotroph, E = eutroph
Oligotrophs are most abundant under nitrogen deposition regimes averaging 0.5 to 2.5 kg N/ha/yr and are increasingly difficult to find as deposition increases above 2.5. Mesotrophs prefer a moderate nutrient regime, 2.5 to 4.5 kg N/ha/yr, with declines in frequency above 4.5 and below 2.5. Eutrophs tolerate and are usually enhanced by N deposition loads above 4.5 kg N/ha/yr. Highest mean annual nitrogen deposition estimates for the PNW from 1990-1999 were about 8 kg N/ha/yr; lowest levels were less than 1 kg ha/yr (Porter 2006).
Sulfur Dioxide Sensitivity: S = sensitive, I = intermediate, T = tolerant
Sulfur dioxide sensitive lichens tolerate mean annual concentrations up to 5 to 15 ppb SO2; lichens of intermediate sensitivity tolerate between 15 to 30 ppb SO2; lichens rated 'tolerant' can tolerate mean annual SO2 concentrations greater than 30 ppb.
To learn about a particular species of lichen, click on the name. To browse through all of the listed species alphabetically, just scroll further down on this page. Taxonomy follows the 21st North American Checklist.
All photos copyright Sharnoff except where indicated otherwise.
Ahtiana pallidula
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.9 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On well-lit branches beneath an open canopy or on branches in the upper crown; mesic forests at low to high elevations. PNW: widespread in mountains.
Ahtiana sphaerosporella
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.0 kg N/ha/y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark or wood of conifers. Subalpine to lower elevation montane forests. PNW: Infrequent in the eastern Cascades of OR and WA and western Cascades of s OR.
Alectoria imshaugii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.9 kg N/ha/y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood of both conifers and hardwoods. PNW: common in forests east of the Cascade Range crest and in the western Cascades of central & southern OR; sporadic in Coast Range. Ranges from southern British Columbia to California, east to western Montana and the Continental Divide.
Alectoria sarmentosa
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.4 kg N per ha per yr (McCune and Geiser 2009)
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: 5-15 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); present at 12.6-19.2/ absent from 19.2-28.9 ppb (LeBlanc et al. 1974); see also Kuusinen et al. (1990).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: < 20 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark or wood, rarely on rock or mosses over rock. PNW: One of the most common lichens of PNW forests; widespread in all mountain ranges but rare in the Willamette valley, Puget trough and Columbia Basin. Ranges from Alaska to California, east to Alberta and Montana; mainly west of the Continental Divide.
Alectoria vancouverensis
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: probably 5-20 ppb, similar to A. sarmentosa.
Habitat
On bark and wood. Most common in the transition between valley forests and mountain forests (generally below about 700 m); often occurring in the same stands as A. sarmentosa, but usually dropping out below the elevation of highest dominance by A. sarmentosa. Coastal British Columbia south to California, in and west of the Cascade crest.
Anaptychia crinalis
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present to 15 ppb/absent at 19 ppb. Rating by Wetmore (1983) based on Deruelle (1977 & 1978); Hawksworth & Rose (1970 & 1976); Johnsen & Søchting (1973); Jürgling (1975); and Vick & Bevan (1976).
Habitat
On bark and wood mainly north of Washington on the immediate coast; rare.
Arctoparmelia incurva
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: (Purvis, et.al. 1992).
Habitat
On rock. Mainly boreal and arctic with rare disjuncts to southern BC and the WA Cascades.
Bryoria bicolor
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N/ha/y (McCune & Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On coastal trees rocks, and mossy turfs; Alaska to northern Oregon. Rare to infrequent in the PNW.
Bryoria capillaris
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to Intermediate: 5-15 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); (Ryan 1990); present between 20.8-31.2 ppb (LeBlanc et al. 1974).
Fluorine
Sensitive: ? (Peterson et al. 1992).
Habitat
On bark or wood of both conifers and hardwoods but typically on conifers. Most common in understory of Abies, Picea, Pseudotsuga, and Thuja forests. PNW Range: Common in moist forests of all mountain ranges from low to high elevations. Alaska to northern California, east to Newfoundland, with a disjunct in Colorado.
Bryoria fremontii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.9 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark or wood of conifers, occasionally on hardwoods. Highest biomass occurs in dry, open Pinus and Pseudotsuga forests, often forming long thick bears. From low elevation to timberline. PNW Range: widespread in eastern OR and WA forested mountains and in forests of SW OR, rare elsewhere.
Bryoria friabilis
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: (Sigal and Nash 1983).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark of both conifers and hardwoods, rarely on rocks. West of the Cascade crest, this species is widely but thinly distributed from valley bottoms to mountain forests, occasionally in old orchards and riparian hardwood forests (where it is the most common Bryoria species. East of the Cascade crest, this species is an old-growth associate, most often found in moist older forests at lower elevations.
Bryoria furcellata
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N/ha/y (McCune & Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 5-10/absent at 10-20 ppb SO2 (LeBlanc et al. 1972a)
Habitat
Prostrate on rock, soil or alpine sod.
Bryoria fuscescens
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: (Nash and Wirth 1988); (Purvis et al. 1992); present at 23 ppb/ absent at 26 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970 & 1976) .
Habitat
On conifer bark or wood, occasionally on rocks or hardwoods.Common in forests of the Cascade Range and eastern OR and WA but infrequent in the Coast Ranges and Olympics. This is the most common sorediate Bryoria species in the Pacific Northwest.
Bryoria glabra
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.4 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: Present at 10-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhoades 1992).
Habitat
On conifer bark or wood, in coastal and mountain conifer forests, mainly low to high elevations. Found from Alaska to California, east to Alberta and Montana; most common in northern coastal areas, uncommon inland to western Montana.
Bryoria implexa
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: Present at 5-15 ppb (Ryan and Rhoades 1992); present at 4-11 ppb (Trass 1973)
Habitat
On conifer bark and wood, Alaska to eastern N America south to northern Idaho and northwest Montana; rare.
Bryoria pseudocapillaris
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On exposed coastal trees, northern OR and California.
Bryoria pseudofuscescens
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Moist valleys to mountains; eastern Cascades most in Abies grandes-Thuja habitats to subalpine (Abies lasiocarpa) forests; in a broader range of habitats in the western Cascades and Coast Ranges.
Bryoria spiralifera
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On exposed coastal trees; endemic to the Pacific Coast, largest population is in Humboldt Co., California.
Bryoria subcana
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On exposed coastal trees; endemic to the Pacific Coast, largest population is in Humboldt Co., California.
Bryoria trichodes
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to intermediate: present at 5.4.8-9.6/ absent at 9.6-19.2 ppb (LeBlanc et al 1972a).
Habitat
On bark or wood of conifers. Wet coastal forests at low to high elevations. Alaska to Santa Cruz, mainly in the Coast Range, typically west of the Cascade crest in Oregon and Washington.
Candelaria concolor
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to Intermediate: present 4.8-14.8/absent 18.5 ppb (Hawskworth and Rose 1970 & 1976, LeBlanc et al. 1972a, Trass 1973); see also (Crock et al. 1992).
Fluorine
Sensitive to Intermediate: 18 (LeBlanc et al. 1972b).
Habitat
On nutrient-rich bark or wood (mainly hardwoods), rarely on rock. PNW: In the Willamette Valley, Puget Trough and along the Columbia River, and in forests bordering the Columbia Plateau. Often in urban, suburban, and agricultural areas. Widespread.
Cavernularia hultenii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood, mainly on conifers; in moist conifer forests at low to medium elevations. Found from Alaska to California, west of the Cascade crest.
Cavernularia lophyrea
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood, mainly on conifers; in low to mid-elevation conifer forests. PNW: Fairly frequent in the Coast Range, especially in semi-open coastal Pinus contorta and Picea sitchensis forests; rare in the western Cascades. Range extends from coastal Alaska to California.
Cetraria islandica
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 10-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhoades 1992)
Habitat
Widespread boreal and subalpine to arctic-alpine; occasional in Oregon and Washington
Cetraria muricata
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: Present from 10 to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Habitat
On alpine or subalpine sod at high elevations, occasionally on moss and humus over rock at lower elevations. Range is from Alaska to California and Colorado.
Cetrelia cetrariodes
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y butthis lichen is also common at sites with less than 1.5 kg N per ha per y .
Habitat
Moist riparian and valley bottom forests, especially older Alnus rubra stands over seepy or swampy ground. Most frequent along the immediate coast and west-side of the Coast Ranges, the Columbia River Gorge, foothills of the western Cascades, Puget Trough, Willamette Valley.
Cladonia arbuscula
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present from 10-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhoades 1992).
Fluorine
Tolerant: (Ross and Nash 1983).
Metals
Sensitive: to heavy metals (Folkeson and Andersson-Bringmark 1988); to Zn/Cu (Tyler 1989)
Habitat
Grows on soil, humus, or soil over rock; circumpolar south to Washington, Montana and Colorado; uncommon, mostly in cool rocky sites at low elevations.
Cladonia bellidiflora
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 5-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Habitat
On mossy rocks and on bark, wood and soil. Most frequent on cool, moist talus slopes and outcrop areas, including old lava flows; occasional in forests and sand dunes. Found in and west of the Cascade Range, rare inland in British Columbia and Washington.
Cladonia carneola
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Metals
Tolerant: to Zn/Cu (Folkeson and Andersson-Bringmark 1988); (Tyler 1989).
Habitat
Grows on humus-rich soil, stumps, and rotten wood, occasionally on tree trunks. Widespread in North America, fairly common throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Cladonia cenotea
Metals
Tolerant: to Zn/Cu (Folkeson and Andersson-Bringmark 1988); (Tyler 1989).
Habitat
Grows on rotten logs, tree bases, and humus-rich soil; in cool, moist forests from valleys to subalpine, in both shaded and semi-open habitats. Range is widespread, common east of the Cascade crest, rare west of the Cascade crest.
Cladonia chlorophaea
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 4.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 10-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Metals
Tolerant: to Zn/Cu (Folkeson and Andersson-Bringmark 1988); (Tyler 1989).
Habitat
Grows on a variety of substrates including soil, humus, bark, rotten wood, and mosses or detritus over rock. Common in many habitats, most often where partly shaded or exposed. Range is cosmopolitan, common in the Pacific Northwest.
Cladonia coniocraea
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 13-20 ppb/absent at 20-29 ppb (LeBlanc 1969, LeBlanc et al. 1972a, LeBlanc et al. 1974).
Habitat
On rotten wood, tree bases, humus, and occasionally soil. PNW: OR & WA Cascades, Coast Ranges, and Olympic P.
Cladonia fimbriata
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a broad N tolerance, peak detection frequency at 6.1 kg per ha per y.
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 5 ppb/absent at 5-10 ppb (LeBlanc et al. 1972a).
Habitat
In a broad array of habitats. PNW: Widespread throughout OR and WA.
Cladonia furcata
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate to Tolerant: from 10 to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Metals
Tolerant: (Folkeson and Andersson-Bringmark 1988).
Habitat
Grows on soil, moss, and humus, occasionally on rotten wood or tree bases; in moist coastal forests at low to mid elevations, frequent on partly shaded roadcuts. Range is from Alaska to California, very common west of the Cascade crest.
Cladonia gracilis
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: present from 10 to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhoades 1992).
Habitat
On soil, humus, soil over rock, or rotten logs; widespread in North America.
Cladonia macilenta
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On soil, tree trunks, and rotten wood; widespread but uncommon, coastal Alaska to California. PNW: mostly west of the Cascade Ranges crest.
Cladonia mitis
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 5-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Ozone/PAN
Tolerant: to < 65 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
Grows on soil, humus, or soil over rock; on outcrops and talus slopes, mainly cool, moist slopes at low elevations. Range is circumpolar south to Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and eastern US; uncommon.
Cladonia norvegica
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On rotten wood and tree bases in humid to mesic forests: Alaska to Oregon.
Cladonia ochrochlora
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Metals
Tolerant: to Zn/Cu (Folkeson and Andersson-Bringmark 1988); (Tyler 1989).
Habitat
Grows on rotten wood, tree bases, and humus and occasionally soil. This species is relatively indiscriminant, occurring in a wide array of forests, in both shaded and exposed habitats. Range is widespread, found throughout Pacific Northwest forests, but common only west of the Cascade crest.
Cladonia pyxidata
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.4 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Metals
Tolerant: to Zn/Cu (Folkeson and Andersson-Bringmark 1988); (Tyler 1989).
Habitat
Grows on mineral soil or soil or moss over rock, occasionally on humus; in a wide array of open or semi-open habitats, in some cases where recently disturbed, including roadcuts and clearcuts, but also on undisturbed, open, rocky sites; at all elevations. Range is widespread.
Cladonia rangiferina
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 5-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Fluorine
Intermediate: ? (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Ozone/PAN
Tolerant: (Brown and Smirnoff 1978); (Ross and Nash 1983).
Metals
Sensitive: to Cu/Zn (Tyler 1989); (Folkeson and Andersson-Bringmark 1988).
Habitat
Grows on humus or soil over rock; on outcrops and talus slopes, often on cool, moist slopes and in narrow valleys and canyon slopes. Range is circumpolar south to Oregon and Montana; rare in the Pacific Northwest.
Cladonia squamosa
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 4.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Metals
Tolerant: to Zn/Cu (Folkeson and Andersson-Bringmark 1988);(Tyler 1989).
Habitat
Grows on soil, soil over rock, rotten logs, and tree trunks; found in moist forests at low to mid elevations. Range is widespread in North America. PNW: common west of the Cascade crest, rare elsewhere.
Cladonia transcendens
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
In both shaded and open sites, including both clear-cuts and old-growth forests, at low to high elevations; eastern Cascades it is infrequent and largely restricted to moist, partly shaded locations, often near streams or in cool canyons.
Cladonia umbricola
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009)./p>
Habitat
Uncommon in low- to mid-elevation moist forests in canyons, stream bottoms and valleys.
Cladonia verruculosa
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.9 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
A wide variety of open to partly open disturbed sites, including roadcuts, clearcuts, and stabilized dunes, in and around areas of low- to mid-elevation moist forests, occasional in the steepe fringes of foresed ecosystems.
Cetraria muricata
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: Present from 10 to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Habitat
On alpine or subalpine sod at high elevations, occasionally on moss and humus over rock at lower elevations. Range is from Alaska to California and Colorado.
Collema nigrescens
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: (Ryan 1990)
Habitat
On bark of broad-leaved trees and shrubs; in low-elevation hardwood forests, often in riparian areas. Range is from Alaska to California, west of the Cascade crest.
Erioderma sorediatum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Coastal shrubs and trees; rare.
Esslingeriana idahoensis
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Occasional in the Coast ranges; common in the Medford valley, forests of the western OR Cascades, the eastern slopes of the OR & WA Cascades, the Wallowa & Selkirk ranges, and in moist forests on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
Evernia divaricata
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 4 ppb (Trass 1973).
Habitat
On conifers in mesic forests; Rocky Mountains from Alberta to New Mexico and Arizona. Rare in OR and WA.
Evernia mesomorpha
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 10-23 ppb/absent at 29 ppb (LeBlanc 1969, LeBlanc et al. 1972a).
Habitat
Generally on conifers. Circumpolar boreal; very rare west of the Continental Divide but more frequent north into Canada.
Evernia prunastri
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: absent or rare at levels > 22.2 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992); present to 22 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970); moderately sensitive (Kuusinen et al. 1990); present at 18.5-24.1 ppb (Hawkworth et al. 1973, Morgan-Huws et al. 1973, Trass 1973); see also (Diamantopoulos et al. 1992 and Nash and Wirth 1988).
Notes: More sensitive to S deposition on conifers than on deciduous trees with less acidic bark (Kuusinen et al. 1990). High concentration and long exposure (fumigation) => reduced photosynthesis and respiration, chlorophyll destruction (Sanz et al. 1992).
Fluorine
Sensitive: ? (Peterson et al. 1992); (Perkins & Millar 1987a).
Notes: Bleaching (Perkins & Millar 1987a).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: < 20 ppm (Peterson et al. 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Metals
Notes: Slightly < C-fixation (photosynthesis) w/ Zn sol. (Brown & Beckett 1983).
Habitat
On wood or bark, especially hardwood trees and shrubs, occasionally on conifers. Ubiquitous in most habitats at low elevations west of the Cascade Range crest, especially hardwood forests, savannas, and in urban and agricultural areas; less abundant in lower mountain forests where it is best developed in pockets of hardwoods; east of the Cascade crest almost entirely restricted to riparian forests and shrubby areas. Most common west of the Cascade crest, sporadic east of the crest to Idaho, rarely inland to western Montana.
Flavocetraria nivalis
Habitat
Common on soil in arctic-alpine and boreal sites, rarely subalpine. Range is circumpolar, in the west from Washington to New Mexico
Flavoparmelia caperata
Nitrogen deposition
Nitrophile (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
On bark and wood of hardwoods. Low elevation forests,oak savannas, and other valley woodlands. PNW: Rare, look for it in the Puget Trough, Columbia River Gore, and Willamette Valley.
Flavopunctelia flaventior
Nitrogen deposition
Nitrophile (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
On bark and wood of hardwoods. Low evelvation forests, oak savannas, and other valley woodlands. PNW: Rare in the Puget Trough, Columbia River Gorge and Willamette Valley
Fuscopannaria leucostictoides
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood of both hardwoods and conifers. Edges of coastal forests, oak savannas, and other valley and foothills woodlands. PNW: Infrequent in the OR Coast Range, Olympics, western Cascades of southern WA and northern OR. British Columbia to California, occuring west of the Cascade Range crest but with rare disjuncts in Idaho.
Fuscopannaria mediterranea
Photo by Bruce McCune
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.2 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Mainly on bark, sometimes on mossy rock or soil. Occasional in the western Cascades and Coast ranges at low elevations but rare east of the Cascade crest outside of the Columbia River Gorge NSA.
Fuscopannaria pacifica
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Moist to wet forests, in deep shade to somewhat open sites, low to mid elevations. PNW: Common west of the Cascade crest, especially in OR.
Heterodermia leucomela
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Uncommon on conifers on the immediate coast from California to British Columbia; especially on windswept headlands.
Hypogymnia apinnata
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Moist conifer forests low to high elevations. PNW: Abundant in western OR and WA.
Hypogymnia duplicata
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Cool, moist coastal forests; low elevation to coastal mountaintops. PNW: Infrequent in north OR Coast Range and west side OR Cascades, more common on the western slopes of the northern WA Cascades.
Hypogymnia enteromorpha
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate to tolerant: from 10 to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate to tolerant: from 15 to >65 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992, Ross and Nash 1983).
Habitat
On bark and wood, mainly on conifers. In forests of all elevations. Range is from Alaska to California, very common west of the Cascade crest, uncommon to rare east of the Continental Divide.
Hypogymnia heterophylla
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Best developed in open conifer forests along the immediate coast. On tree and shrub branches, occupying both well-lit and shaded branches; approaching the open coast it becomes increasingly restricted to sheltered microsites.
Hypogymnia imshaugii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.4 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate to Tolerant: (Ryan 1990); ?(Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate to Tolerant: from 15 to >65 ppb. (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Habitat
On bark and wood of low elevation to subalpine forests and savannas, occasionally in steppe (on fences and Artemesia); in moist dense forests mostly restricted to the upper canopy. Range extends from Alaska to California, inland to Alberta, Montana, and Wyoming, common throughout the Pacific Northwest except on the immediate coast, most common east of the Cascade crest and west of the Continental Divide.
Hypogymnia inactiva
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.8 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Low to high-elevation moist conifer forests, more shade tolerant than most other Hypogymnia species. PNW: one of the most abundant and widespread lichens of western OR and WA; infrequent east of the Cascade crest.
Hypogymnia metaphysodes
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.4 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009
Habitat
Moist forests at low to high elevations. PNW: One of the most common Hypogymnia sp. of eastern OR and WA but also common on the western slopes of the Cascades; infrequent in the Coast Ranges, Olympics, and west-side valleys.
Hypogymnia occidentalis
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Moist low-elevation to subalpine forests; one of the most common Hypogymnia species in Abies grandes, moist Pseudotsuga, and Thuja forests between the Cascade and Rocky Mountain crests; also common west of the Cascade crest but less so than other H. apinnata, H. enteromorpha and H. inactiva.
Hypogymnia oceanica
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Moist Pseudotsuga-Tsuga forests of the western Cascades Ranges; rare in Coast ranges and Olympics.
Hypogymnia physodes
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 4.9 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: (Turk and Lange 1974); present at 19.2-26/absent at 29 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Deruelle 1978, Johnsen and Søchting 1973 & 1976; Jürgling 1975, LeBlanc 1969, LeBlanc et al. 1972a &1974, Margot 1973, Morgan-Huws et al. 1973, and Trass 1973); present at 22-26 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Tolerant: 10 to >30 ppm (Peterson et al. 1992); (Nash and Wirth 1988); absent at levels > 40 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992); semitolerant: 36-44 ppb (Johnsen and Søchting 1973); fairly tolerant (Kuusinen et al. 1990).
Fluorine
Sensitive to Intermediate: (LeBlanc et al. 1971, Peterson et al. 1992); (Perkins and Millar 1987a).
Notes: Bleaching, turning red (Perkins & Millar 1987a).
Acidic deposition
Intermediate to Tolerant: (Farmer et al.1992).
Habitat
On bark and wood, occasionally on rock or mossy. Ubiquitous in forests at all elevations, often in nonforested habitats (steppe, shrub thickets, farmlands, etc.). Widespread, common throughout the PNW.
Hypogymnia rugosa
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Moist mid-elevation to subalpine forests west of the Continental Divide; often in mixed Abies and Tsuga mertensiana forests, sporadically down into the Pseudtuga-Tsuga heterophylla forest in cool sites.
Hypogymnia tubulosa
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate to high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 4.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 4-12 ppb (Trass 1973).
Fluorine
Sensitive: (Perkins & Millar 1987a); ? (Peterson et al. 1992).
Habitat
On bark and wood. Common in open to semi-open habitats at all elevations, including riparian areas, farm trees, urban areas, savannas, and wooded wetlands. Widespread, common throughout the forested parts of the PNW.
Hypotrachyna sinuosa
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Most common in moist forests at low to mid-elevations, from the coast to valleys to the western Cascades.
Kaernefeltia californica
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Most common on open edges of Pinus contorta or Picea sitchensis forests within sight or sound of the ocean, quickly diminishing inland; coastal Alaska to California.
Kaernefeltia merillii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.9 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: (Skorepa and Vitt 1976).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive to Intermediate: present at < 20-70 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992);(Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark and wood, mainly on conifers (especially Pinus contorta, Larix and Pinus albicaulis), also on shrubs. Grows on well-lit branches in forests and on more open, exposed trees on rocky ridges; also in treetops of moist low-elevation forests; present at all forested elevations. Range is Yukon to California, inland to western Montana; most common between the Cascade and Continental Divides, found infrequently in the Coast Ranges south to southern Oregon and California; not present on the immediate coast.
Leioderma sorediatum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Semi open habitats on the coast, most often in dune woodlands and deflation plains.
Leptogium brebissonii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
In forests of the immediate coast; on trees.
Leptogium gelatinosum
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Most often on mossy rock, especially near streams, rarely on mossy soil and bark. PNW: Widespread and common along streams in the western Cascades; infrequent east of the Cascades crest.
Leptogium lichenoides
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Most commonly seen in outcrop and talus areas at low to mid elevations where it is often intermixed in moss cushions over rock; in both open and sheltered sites.
Leptogium palmatum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Road cuts, roadsides, poorly re-vegetated areas in clear-cuts, outcrops and talus areas; low to mid elevations; populations on bark tend to be in hardwood stands at low elevations. PNW: western OR and WA.
Leptogium polycarpum
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.8 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Common in oak savannas and ash swamps in the valleys, frequent in foothill conifer and deciduous forests, sporadic at middle elevations. PNW: western OR and WA.
Leptogium pseudofurfuraceum
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate to high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.2 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark, occasionally on rock; widespread in western N America, NW Territories to Mixico, inland to S Dakota.
Leptogium saturninum
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a moderate to high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 4.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Usually on bark, most commonly deciduous trees and shrubs, occasionally on rock or moss over rock. Most frequent in moist riparian forests at low elevations; range is widespread.
Letharia columbiana
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.2 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate to Tolerant: from 15 to >65 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On bark or wood, rarely on rock. Common in subalpine forests, high plateaus and ridges to the timberline, and forests east of th Cascade crest. Rare west of the crest, in dry sites in the Willamette Valey and Puget trough.
Letharia vulpina
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate to high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate to Tolerant: from 15 to >65 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992, Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark or wood, rarely on rock. Found from low elevations to the timberline; often abundant on exposed dead decorticate branches and snags, occasionally in shaded closed forests, but in moist, old forests it is restricted to dry microsites, especially in the upper canopy. The range of this species is widespread throughout western North America; common throughout the Pacific Northwest, but most conspicuous east of the Cascade crest and in southern OR.
Lichinodium canadense
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Lobaria hallii
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Riparian forests, usually where sheltered and moist. PNW: Cascades, eastern Columbia River Gorge NSA.
Lobaria linita
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 5-15 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On trees, shrubs, mossy rocks, or alpine sod. Grows in montane to alpine regions east of the Cascade crest where it is generally found on alpine sod or mossy rocks, but it is mainly epiphytic in coastal regions from Alaska to western Oregon, in the Cascades and east of the Cascade crest; in moist habitats with coastal influence. Range extends from the Arctic to the North Cascades of WA (a few sites as far south as northern OR) inland to western Montana.
Lobaria oregana
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: < 20 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992).
Habitat
Usually on coniferous trees; sporadically on hardwoods including Alnus, Fraxinus, and shrubs. Oceanic forests, reaching maximum dominance in mid-elevation old-growth forests (Pseudotsuga - Tsuga heterophylla) of the Oregon Coast Range and the western slope of the Cascades. Occasional in moist low-elevation forests in the foothills. Alaska to California, west of the Cascade crest; known east of the crest from only two sites (British Columbia and northern Idaho).
Lobaria pulmonaria
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.2 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 10.4/absent between 10.4-13.6 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on LeBlanc et al. 1974, Nash 1976b, and Trass 1973); 5-15 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); genus extremely sensitive: < 9.25 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992); present in zones where SO2 is < 11.1 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970); see also (Nash and Wirth 1988); (Turk and Lange 1974).
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate to Tolerant: 15->65 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992). No signif effect on N fix. or Ps (Sigal & Johnston1986).
Metals
Notes: Slightly < C-fixation (photosynthesis) w/ Zn sol.(Brown & Beckett 1983).
Habitat
On trees (both conifers and hardwoods), shrubs, and mossy rock Moist lowland to mid elevation forests in areas of strong coastal influence. PNW: frequent west of the Cascade crest in Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge, occasional in Washington, rare east of the Cascades. Alaska to central California, inland to western Montana.
Lobaria scrobiculata
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.2 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: 5-15 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); genus extremely sensitive, < 9.25 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992); one of the most air-pollution sensitive lichens (Hallingback 1989); 14.5 (Nash and Wirth 1988); zone 10, 'pure air' (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Acidic deposition
Sensitive (Farmer et al. 1992); symptoms of acid rain damage are chlorosis, loss of mature lobes, negative growth rate (Wolsely & James 1992).
Metals
Notes: reduced C-fixation (photosynthesis) w/ Zn soln. (Brown & Beckett 1983).
Habitat
On trees, shrubs, and mossy rocks, rarely on the ground. Most frequent in low-elevation hardwood forests, swamps, and savannas west of the Cascade crest; also in low- to mid-elevation old-growth conifer forests; east of the Cascade crest restricted to sheltered mossy outcrop areas, often near lakes or streams, and the Columbia Rive Gorge NSA. Circumpolar boreal south to Montana and northern California; rare east of the Cascades where it is known only along Salmon River and in western Montana.
Melanelixia fuliginosa
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present from 13-19 ppb, absent from 20-29 ppb (Wetmore 1993 based on LeBlanc et al. 1974 and Morgan-Huws et al. 1973); present at 22 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970)
Fluorine
Intermediate: (Perkins and Millar 1987a)
Habitat
On bark (mainly hardwood trees and shrubs) and rock. Common as an epiphyte on hardwoods west of the Cascade crest in low to mid elevation forests and more open habitats; east of the Cascade crest it is more often on rock in shaded habitats in the mountains. Range is widespread throughout the Pacific Northwest; common west of the Cascade crest.
Melanelixia glabra
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate to high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On hardwoods. PNW: Medford valley, Columbia River Gorge NSA, Selkirks and Wallowas.
Melanelixia subargentifera
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.2 kg N per ha per y. Acidophyte (Jovan 2008).
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: Present at 30-38 ppb (Trass 1973)
Habitat
Most common on rock, also on bark or wood; widespread; occasional in fairly shaded, moist, low elevation sites.
Melanelixia subaurifera
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to intermediate: present at 4-12 ppb (Trass 1973). Present to 20 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992); present to 28 ppb (Taylor and Bell 1983).
Fluorine
Sensitive to Intermediate: (LeBlanc et al. 1972b).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On bark and wood (mainly hardwood trees and shrubs), less often on rock; in a wide variety of forest and shrub habitats. PNW: Widespread at low to mid elevations west of the Cascade crest. Rare elsewhere
Melanohalea elegantula
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a moderate to high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 5.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present to < 26 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992).
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate to Tolerant: (Ryan 1990); to >65 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Habitat
On bark, wood, and rock, occasionally on mosses or soil over rock. Found in a wide range of forests, savannas, and open habitats, most prominent in the more continental climates of the Pacific Northwest. Range is widespread throughout western North America, common east of the Cascade crest at low elevations.
Melanohalea exasperatula
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate to high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.2 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 12-32/absent at 24 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Jürgling 1975, LeBlanc et al 1972a, Trass 1973); 10-35 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); tolerant to 28 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992); (Ryan 1990); tolerates 18.5-14.8 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Habitat
On bark or wood (both conifers and hardwoods), rarely on rock. Frequent in a very broad range of habitats, from low to high elevations, in both continental and oceanic climates, and in deep shade to exposed habitats. Widespread, throughout western North America. PNW: common east of the Cascades, in the Willamette Valley and west Cascades south to CA; infrequent in the Puget Trough, absent from the Coast Ranges and Olympics.
Melanohalea subelegantula
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark. Drier forests of the Puget Trough, Willamette Valley, Medford Valley, western Cascades, especially SW OR. Common in forests of eastern OR and WA.
Melanohalea subolivacea
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate to Tolerant: from 15 to >65 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark and wood of both conifers and hardwoods. Found in a broad range of open and forested habitats, including dry forests and savannahs (e.g. Pinus ponderosa), steppe (on Artemesia and Cercocarpus, etc.), and moist forests; at all forested elevations. Range is widespread in western North America. PNW: frequent at low to mid elevatins east of the Cascade Crest, in the Columbia River Gorge and in valleys of southern OR, otherwise rare west of the Cascade crest.
Menegazzia subsimilis
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: (Ryan and Rhoades 1992)
Habitat
On trees (mainly hardwoods) and shrubs; especially frequent on Alnus rubra. Found in moist oceanic forests, often in riparian areas. PNW: especially common in the Coast Ranges, more scattered on the west slope of the Cascades and Puget Trough; absent east of the Cascades and sw OR. Range extends from Alaska to California, west of the Cascade crest.
Neofuscelia loxodes
Fluorine
Tolerant: (Perkins and Millar 1987b)
Habitat
On rock or mosses over rock, vary rarely on wood or bark. Fairly common in exposed dry sites, especially on basalt on the Columbia Plateau and Snake River Plain, sporadically into western Montana. Range extends from Washington east to North Dakota, south to California and Colorado.
Nephroma bellum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: genus is sensitive (Purvis et al. 1992).
Habitat
On trees, shrubs, and mossy rocks. Moist forests with strong coastal influence; often on riparian hardwoods. Widespread in the Coast Ranges and western Cascades; rare elsewhere.
Nephroma helveticum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.4 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: genus is sensitive (Purvis et al. 1992).
Habitat
On mossy rocks and woody plants. Generally in moist shady habitats; primarily moist low- to mid-elevation (often riparian) forests. PNW: Widespread throughout western Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge, the western WA Cascades and the Olympics.
Nephroma laevigatum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: genus is sensitive (Purvis et al. 1992); absent at 24 ppb (Hawksworth &Rose 1970).
Metals
Notes: reduced C-fixation (photosynthesis) w/ Zn sol. (Brown & Beckett 1983).
Habitat
On trees (mainly hardwoods) and shrubs, less often on rock. Moist low to mid elevation forests, often in riparian areas and on understory shrubs. From Alaska to California. PNW: common in western OR, infrequent in western WA Cascades and Olympics, rare elsewhere.
Nephroma occultum
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: genus is sensitive (Purvis et al. 1992).
Habitat
Rare in coniferous forests of the western cascades; associated with very old Pseudotsuga menziesii-Tsuga heterophylla stands with abundant Lobaria oregana; most frequent in the mid to upper canopy.
Nephroma parile
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: Genus is sensitive (Purvis et al. 1992).
Metals
Reduced C-fixation (photosynthesis) w/ Zn sol. (Brown & Beckett 1983).
Habitat
Most often on mosses over bark or rock, also on bare bark and rock. Moist, somewhat shady to partially exposed habitats; with broader climatic tolerances than other species of Nephroma. PNW: Infrequent in forests of western OR, the Wallowa Mts of ne OR, western Cascades of southern WA, and the Selkirk Mtns of ne WA; rare elsewhere.
Nephroma resupinatum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: Genus is sensitive (Purvis et al. 1992).
Habitat
On bark and rock. Shady to somewhat open, moist riparian forests and upland forests west of the Cascade Range crest. Widespread in boreal, Montana, and oceanic forests, in the PNW: Common in western OR and the Columbia River Gorge, infrequent in the western Cacades of WA and the Olympics; rare elsewhere.
Niebla cephalota
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On exposed coastal trees (less often rock), always within sight or sound of the ocean; Baja California to southeastern Alaska, including the Puget Sound.
Nodobryoria abbreviata
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On conifer bark or wood. In valleys to near timberline, especially common in open pine and larch forests east of the Cascade Range crest, also in treetops of moist closed forests. Common from western Montana and central Idaho to British Columbia, south to Baja California. PNW: common in forests east of the Cascade Crest and in sw OR
Nodobryoria oregana
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to Intermediate: present at 5-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
Usually on conifers, rarely on hardwoods or shrubs, often intricately intermixed with other Bryoria and Alectoria species. Common in moist low-elevation to subalpine forests with relatively strong coastal influence. PNW: most abundant in mid elevation to subalpine forests in the Cascade Range, but also widespread on the west side of the Coast Ranges and forests of eastern OR and WA; rare elsewhere. Found from British Columbia to southern California, and east to southwest Alberta and northwest Montana.
Normandina pulchella
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to Intermediate: present at 13 ppb/absent at 18.5 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970 &1976).
Habitat
On mosses, bark, and other lichens in moist lowland habitats; absent in boreal regions. Infrequent, but easily overlooked. Range is widespread, circumpolar; south to Arizona and New Mexico. PNW: Coast range and western Cascades.
Parmelia hygrophila
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.5 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: present from 10 to >30 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive to Intermediate: < 20-70 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992).
Habitat
On bark and wood, rarely rock. Common in moist low to subalpine forests, also in urban and agricultural habitats. PNW: common in forests throughout OR and WA. Alaska to Oregon, from the coast inland to western Montana.
Parmelia pseudosulcata
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark. PNW: Common in forests of western Oregon and Washington.
Parmelia saxatilis
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 4.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 14-21 ppb/absent from 21-31 ppb (LeBlanc et al. 1974); present from 16-24 ppb (Vick and Bevan 1976); present from 22-26 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970); see also(Nash and Wirth 1988);.
Ozone/PAN
Tolerant: to >65 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Fluorine
Sensitive: present from 8-18 ppb (Perkins et al. 1980); (Perkins and Millar 1987a), (Perkins and Millar 1987b); probably sensitive (Ryan and Rhodes 1992)
Habitat
On siliceous rock and soil or mosses over rock, frequently on bark west of the Cascade crest. The rock-dwelling form grows on both sunny and shaded rock outcrops; the bark-dwelling form lives in moist oceanic conifer forests, in partial to fairly deep shade. Range is widespread in North America, common throughout the Pacific Northwest but especially in western OR and WA.
Parmelia squarrosa
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 10-16 ppb (LeBlanc et al. 1976).
Habitat
On bark and wood, mainly on conifers. Found in wet coastal forests. PNW: Most common along the mmediate coast of OR & WA; infrequent in the OR coast ranges, Willamette Valley, w Cascades of OR; rare in western WA Cascades. extends from Alaska to California, Coast Range and on the immediate coast.
Parmelia sulcata
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate to Tolerant: present at 19.24-37/ absent at 35.15 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Deruelle 1978, Johnsen and Søchting 1976, LeBlanc 1969, LeBlance et al. 1972a & 1974 & 1976, LeBlanc & Rao 1973b, Morgan-Huws & Haynes 1973, Showman 1975, and Trass 1973); to 25.9ppb (Taylor and Bell 1983); present at 26 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970); present from 10 to >30 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); present from 36-44 ppb (Johnsen and Søchting 1973); see also (Nash and Wirth 1988).
Fluorine
Sensitive: (Ryan 1990); (Perkins & Millar 1987a); (Perkins & Millar 1987b).
Tolerant: 14 (LeBlanc et al. 1972b);
Bleaching/red coloration (Perkins & Millar 1987a & b);
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: (Ross & Nash 1983, Ryan 1990) to Intermediate: < 20-70 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); 50 ppb PAN: photosynth < 50% / 3 days (Sigal & Taylor 1979).
Bleaching, algal layer damaged (Sigal & Taylor 1979); increased starch in chloroplast (Eversman & Sigal 1984).
Habitat
On bark and wood, less often on rock or mossy rock. Occurring in a wide range of habitats, in both continental and oceanic climates, ranging from urban areas to the mountains. Widespread, common throughout the PNW.
Parmeliopsis ambigua
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 19-24 ppb/absent at 29 ppb (Wetmore 1993 based on Hawksworth et al. 1973, LeBlanc et al. 1972a & 1974, and Trass 1973); present at 10-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992); present at 22 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Fluorine
Tolerant: probably tolerant (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
Most common on conifer bark, also on wood, deciduous trees, and shrubs. Found in moist to dry conifer forests, at low elevations to subalpine; tolerant of snow burial so this species is often found on tree bases in the mountains. Range is widespread; throughout the Pacific Northwest, but most common in continental climates; increasingly rare toward the coast.
Parmeliopsis hyperopta
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 21-31 ppb (LeBlanc et al. 1974).
Habitat
Most common on conifer bark, also on wood, deciduous trees, and shrubs. Found in moist conifer forests, at low elevations to subalpine. Range is widespread, common throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Parmotrema arnoldii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark. Coastal conifer forests and scrub, Willamtte Valley and Puget Trough, nw WA Cascades, western Columbia River Gorge NSA.
Parmotrema crinitum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood, occasionally on rock. PNW: Sporadic along the immediate coast from the border with CA through the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Most abundant in fairly open forests as on the edge of headland forests and boulders, fences, and trees by parking and picnic areas.
Parmotrema perlatum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to Intermediate: to mean levels > 13 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992), present from 5-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On bark and wood, occasionally on rock. Found in coastal conifer forests and scrub, sometimes in more open habitats near the coast; also penetrating inland in low-elevation (usually riparian) forests. Range is from British Columbia to Mexico on the coast; sporadic in the Coast Range and elsewhere west of the Cascade crest.
Peltigera aphthosa
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: ? (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On soil, forest floor, and mossy rocks. Common in more continental climates east of the Cascade crest, but largely replaced by P. Britannica in low to mid-elevation moist forests west of the Cascades; frequent on roadcuts and in open outcrop and talus areas. Range is widespread, throughout forested areas of the Pacific Northwest.
Peltigera britannica
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Roadcuts, trailsides, outcrop areas, talus slopes, old-growth canopies, and other partly open habitats in areas of moist oceanic forests.
Peltigera canina
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Fluorine
Sensitive: (Perkins and Millar 1987a); ? (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb; (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On soil, mosses, forest floor, rotten logs, or soil or moss over rock. Found in forests and relatively open (outcrops, talus) or disturbed areas (roadcuts, clearcuts); low elevations to subalpine, mainly in forested regions with a continental climate. Range is widespread, found throughout the Pacific Northwest, but most common east of the Cascade crest.
Peltigera collina
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb; (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On mossy bark or rock in moist habitats from low elevations to subalpine. Range is widespread, common throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Peltigera didactyla
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb; (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On soil or soil over rock. Usually in recently disturbed habitats such as roadcuts, clearcuts, trailsides, and recently burned forests; low to high elevations. Range is widespread, occasional in forested areas throughout the Pacific Northwest, occasional in steppe or alpine tundra.
Peltigera horizontalis
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present up to 24 ppb (Hawskworth & Rose 1976).
Habitat
On soil, rotten wood, and rock; subarctic south to New Mexico; uncommon in the Pacific Northwest.
Peltigera membranacea
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Acidic deposition
Sensitive to Intermediate: (Farmer et al. 1992).
Habitat
On soil, mosses, forest floor, rotten logs, or soil or moss over rock. Common in mesic oceanic forests at low to mid elevations. Range is circumpolar boreal to temperate, with oceanic affinities; Alaska to California, east to Alberta and western Montana.
Peltigera neopolydactyla
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009)..
Habitat
Common in coastal forests, infrequent eastward where it is restricted to low to mid elevation forests in areas of strongest coastal influence.
Peltigera ponojensis
Metals
Tolerant: characteristic of old mine spoil heaps (Purvis et al. 1992).
Habitat
On soil, moss, and organic debris. Occasional on exposed or partly exposed sites, dry forest fringes to cold semi-arid sites; low elevations to alpine. Range extends from Alaska to California, inland throughout the Rocky Mountains.
Peltigera rufescens
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive to Intermediate: present from 20-70 ppb (Ryan and,Rhodes 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On soil, mosses, or decaying organic matter. Very common in dry, mostly open sites east of the Cascade crest, including steppe, dry forest, outcrop areas and subalpine and alpine ridges. Range is widespread, throughout the Pacific Northwest but most common east of the Cascade crest.
Peltigera venosa
Metals
Tolerant: characteristic of old mine spoil heaps (Purvis et al. 1992).
Habitat
On moist soil, often where recently disturbed but somewhat shaded, especially roadcuts, stream-cut banks, and trailsides. Range is widespread; throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Phaeophyscia nigricans
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: Present from 30-38 ppb (Trass 1973).
Habitat
On hardwoods, occasionally on rock; dry areas of southern British Columbia, Montana and South Dakota, south to Colorado.
Phaeophyscia orbicularis
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 22.2-29.6/absent at 33.3 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Deruelle 1978, Jürgling 1975, LeBlanc et al. 1972a, and Trass 1973); 10-35 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); present at 29.6-33.3 ppb (Johnsen & Søchting 1973); present at 22.2-18.5 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Fluorine
Sensitive: ? (Peterson et al. 1992).
Intermediate: 16 (LeBlanc et al. 1972b).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: < 20 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992, Ryan 1990, Sigal & Nash 1983).
Intermediate to Tolerant: (LeBlanc & Sloover 1970).
Tolerant: see notes (Hoffman 1974).
Habitat
On bark, occasionally on rock (including concrete). Found in a wide variety of lowland habitats, often in agricultural, urban, or riparian settings. Widespread in western North America.
Phaeophyscia sciastra
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On rock or mosses over rock. Common in outcrop and talus areas in dry, continental climates, associated with both siliceous and calcareous rock. Range extends from Alaska to California and Arizona; mostly east of the Cascade crest.
Physcia adscendens
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 18.5-29.6/absent at 33.3 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Deruelle 1977 & 1978, Jürgling 1975, LeBlanc et al. 1972a, Trass 1973); present at 29.6-33.3 ppb (Johnsen & Søchting 1973) ; present at 25.9 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Fluorine
Sensitive: (Peterson et al. 1992); (Perkins & Millar 1987a).
Sensitive to Intermediate: (LeBlanc et al. 1971).
Habitat
On bark (especially angiosperms but also occasionally on conifers), rarely on rock.Low to mid elevation forests and open shrubby areas, common in agricultural, urban, and suburban areas; partial shade to full sun. Widespread; common throughout the PNW.
Physcia aipolia
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 14.8-13 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970), present at 9.6-18.5/ absent at 24.1 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Jürgling 1975, LeBlanc 1969, LeBlanc et al. 1972a, Trass 1973)
Fluorine
Sensitive: ? (Peterson et al. 1992); (Perkins & Millar 1987a).
Sensitive to Intermediate: 20 (LeBlanc et al. 1972b).
Habitat
On bark and wood, usually on hardwoods. Very common west of the Cascade Range crest, occasional east of the Cascade crest; often in urban and agricultural settings, but also common on hardwoods in the mountains. Widespread; throughout the PNW.
Physcia americana
Nitrogen deposition
Nitrophile (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
Mainly on hardwood bark, occasionally on limestone. A species of the eastern US with disjunct populations in California.
Physcia biziana
Ozone/PAN
Tolerant: (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark, wood, or rock of exposed to partially shaded sites, mostly at lower elevations. Range is widespread, British Columbia to Alberta, south to California and southern Rocky Mountains; throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Physcia caesia
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: 10-35 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992).
Fluorine
Sensitive: ? (Peterson et al. 1992).
Habitat
On rock, rarely on bark or wood. Exposed to sheltered rocks in a wide variety of habitats; alpine to sea level, including on rocks in the ocean spray zone. Widespread; fairly common throughout the PNW.
Physcia dimidiata
Nitrogen deposition
Nitrophile (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
On bark of trees of the arid interior west.
Physcia dubia
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: present at concentrations >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhoades 1992); present from 34 to 41 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Deruelle 1978 and Johnsen & Søchting 1973).
Habitat
Widespread; common east of the Cascade crest on rock or mosses over rock.
Physcia leptalea
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: present from 34 to 41 ppb (Hawskworth & Rose 1970).
Habitat
Widespread; common east of the Cascade crest on rock or mosses over rock.
Physcia stellaris
Nitrogen Deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present from 10-21 ppb, absent above 25 ppb (Wetmore 1993 based on LeBlanc 1969, LeBlanc et al. 1972a, Showman 1975).
Fluorine
Intermediate to Tolerant: ? (LeBlanc et al. 1972b).
Habitat
Commonly on hardwoods. Range is widespread. PNW: Infrequent east of the cascades, in the Columbia River Gorge NSA, in the southern Willamette Valley and in the foothills of SW OR, all at low elevations.
Physcia tenella
Nitrogen Deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 22.2/absent at 25.9 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Fluorine
Sensitive: ? (Peterson et al. 1992); (Perkins & Millar 1987a).
Ozone/PAN
Tolerant: > 65 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark or wood, occasionally on rock. Occasional at low to mid elevations, most often on hardwoods and shrubs in open to semi-open habitats. Widespread, throughout the PNW especially along the Columbia River, in the Puget trough, in the Willamette, Rogue and Medord Valleys; infrequent at low elevations in the east Cades, Selkirk Mtns and Wallowas; rare in the Coast Ranges & Olympics.
Physconia americana
Nitrogen Deposition
Mesotroph with a moderately broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: (Ryan 1990)
Habitat
On bark. PNW occasional west of the Cascade crest in broad agricultural valleys and southern Cascades; common along the Columbia River east of Hood River to the Tri Cities. Rare elsewhere in eastern OR and WA and in western WA.
Physconia enteroxantha
Nitrogen Deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark or mosses over rock. In a wide variety of habitats at low elevations, but often in somewhat nutrient-enriched sites, especially in broad agricultural valleys; common on both sides of the Cascades. Widespread; throughout the PNW.
Physconia isidiigera
Nitrogen Deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate to high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.2 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present from 5-35 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Ozone/PAN
Tolerant: to >65 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On bark or mosses over rock. Range is widespread; occasional east of the Cascade crest in dry habitats; common along the Columbia River from Portland to Spokane and in the Willamette, Rogue, Medord and Kalmath Lake valleys.
Physconia perisidiosa
Nitrogen Deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present from 5-23 ppb/ absent above 26 ppm (Wetmore 1983 based on Hawksworth & Rose 1973 and LeBlanc et al. 1972a).
Habitat
On bark (usually hardwood trees and shrubs), mosses over rock, rock, or thin soil over rock.In a wide variety of habitats, including steppe, alpine tundra, riparian forests, agricultural valleys, and rock outcrop areas; low to high elevations; full sun to sheltered. PNW: Widespread, most common in broad agricultural valleys and the Columbia River from Portland to the Tri Cities; absent from the Coast Ranges and Olympics.
Platismatia glauca
Nitrogen Deposition
Mesotroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 19.2-28.9 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on LeBlanc et al. 1974 and Trass 1973); present at 22 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: < 20 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark and wood (especially conifers), less often on rock. Moist forests, low elevations to subalpine, with broad tolerances to shade and moisture. Alaska to California, inland to Montana and Colorado; one of the most common epiphytic lichens of the PNW.
Platismatia herrei
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Moist conifer forests, from low elevations to subalpine.
Platismatia lacunosa
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood, rarely on mossy rocks. PNW: common in moist forests in the Coast Range and Olympics; rare in the western Cascades. Alaska to California.
Platismatia stenophylla
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Moist conifer forests, low elevations to subalpine. PNW: Abundant from southern OR to central WA in the western Cascades and Coast Range.
Polychidium contortum
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark. PNW: Occasional in western OR and WA, most frequent in OR central Coast Range.
Pseudephebe minuscula
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate: present from 15-70 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On rock or gravelly soil; mostly at exposed arctic-alpine to subalpine sites. Range is circumpolar to southern California and New Mexico.
Pseudephebe pubescens
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate: present from 15-70 ppb. (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On rock or gravelly soil in low to high elevations; in exposed to somewhat sheltered rocky sites; occasional. Range is circumpolar south to California and Colorado; throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Pseudocyphellaria anomala
Nitrogen Deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood, most often on deciduous trees and shrubs, occasional on conifers; rarely on rock. Low- to mid-elevation moist forests, including riparian areas, Willamette Valley hardwood forests (including oak savannas and ash swamps), and sporadically in mountain conifer forests. Alaska to California, west of the Cascade Range crest, with rare inland disjuncts to western Montana.
Pseudocyphellaria anthraspsis
Nitrogen Deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.4 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: < 20 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992), (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark and wood, on conifers, deciduous trees, and shrubs; rarely on rock. Low- to mid-elevation moist forests, especially riparian areas; most frequent near the coast in partially open habitats. Alaska to California, with rare disjuncts inland to northern Idaho.
Pseudocyphellaria crocata
Nitrogen Deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood, mainly on hardwood trees and shrubs. Low- to mid-elevation moist forests, usually in valley bottoms and foothills, often in riparian forests, ash swamps, and oak savanna. Alaska to California, west of the Cascade Range crest.
Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: genus is sensitive (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark or wood of conifers, often overgrowing moss mats. Moist old growth forests at low to mid elevations, usually dominated by Pseudotsuga and Tsuga heterophylla, usually in the lower to mid canopy; rare.
Punctelia perreticulata
Nitrogen Deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 22 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Fluorine
Sensitive to Intermediate: < 20 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); (Perkins and Millar 1987a), (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark and wood, less often rock. All known locations for Oregon and Washington are from low-elevation urban, suburban, and agricultural areas. It seems likely that this species is expanding with the inadvertent assistance of humans. Common in eastern North America, Colorado, and California; uncommon in the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades except in the western Columbia River Gorge; not yet known between the Cascades and Rocky Mountain crests.
Punctelia rudecta
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present from 5-10 ppb/absent above 20 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on LeBlanc et al. 1972a and Showman 1975).
Habitat
On bark and rock. Mostly eastern N America with rare disjuncts east of the Continental Divide in Montana.
Ramalina dilacerata
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a moderate to high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 4.8 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 13.6-20.8/absent at 20.8-31.2 ppb (LeBlanc et al. 1976).
Habitat
On hardwood trees and shrubs, also frequent on conifers Most common in riparian forests and shrubs at low elevations; east of the Cascade crest mainly in areas of strongest oceanic influence. Alaska to California, west of the Cascade Range crest, inland to western Montana.
Ramalina farinacea
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 5.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Least sensitive Ramalina to inorganic fertilizers (Purvis et al. 1992).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to Intermediate: present at 22/absent at 26 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Jurgin 1975 and Trass 1973); the least sensitive Ramalina(Purvis et al. 1992); present at 22 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970)
Sensitivity increases with increasing humidity (Rao & LeBlanc 1966).
Fluorine
Sensitive: ? (Peterson et al. 1992).
Bleaching (Perkins & Millar 1987a).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: < 20 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992).
Habitat
On bark and wood, both conifers and hardwoods.West of the Cascade Range crest found in low to mid-elevation forests; also on trees in agricultural and urban areas; east of the Cascade crestcades mainly in low-elevation riparian habitats. Alaska to California, common west of the Cascade Range crest, uncommon to rare east of the Cascade crest, inland to western Montana.
Ramalina menziesii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Notes: Netted regions have higher photosynthesis rates than strap-like regions. Large nets have higher photosynthesis rates than smaller nets (Ross & Nash 1983).
Habitat
On broad-leaved trees and shrubs, occasional on conifers. Fog zone along the coast and in the Willamette-Puget trough, especially along rivers and in forested wetlands, often thickly draping whole forests or individual trees. Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to Baja, never east of the Cascade crest.
Ramalina pollinaria
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 13/ absent at 14.8 ppb(Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Sensitivity increases with increasing humidity (Rao & LeBlanc 1966).
Habitat
On bark and wood.Low-elevation swamps, often with Picea. Widespread but uncommon; in the PNW mainly between the Cascades and Rockies.
Ramalina roesleri
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood of coastal Sitka spruce and pine forests at lower elevations, usually within a few kilometers of the coast; fairly common within this restricted habitat. Range is circumboreal, south along the coast to California.
Ramalina subleptocarpha
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood. Valley bottoms, ash swamps, and riparian hardwood forests, occasionally onto foothills, fairly frequent in urban and agricultural areas. British Columbia to California, on the coast and in the Willamette-Puget trough.
Ramalina thrausta
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood, often conifers. Sporadic in (1) low-elevation moist forests, especially riparian spruce or fir east of the Cascade crest, and (2) low-elevation old-growth Douglas fir in and west of the Cascade crest, and (3) conifer forests on the immediate coast. Range is in boreal North America, south to Oregon and western Montana.
Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present from 5-15 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb; (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On siliceous rock of exposed to somewhat sheltered rock outcrops and talus, from low to high elevations in more continental climates. Range is widespread throughout the Pacific Northwest, but rare west of the Cascade crest.
Rhizoplaca melanophthalma
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present from 5-15 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On exposed to sheltered rock, rarely on gravelly soil; at all elevations. Range is widespread, throughout the Pacific Northwest, but uncommon west of the Cascade crest.
Sphaerophorus tuckermanii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood. PNW: Abundant in OR and WA west of the Cascades crest.
Sphaerophorus venerabilis
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood. PNW: Abundant in OR and WA west of the Cascades crest.
Solorina crocea
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On both calcareous and noncalcareous soil of subalpine to alpine habitats, often in seepage areas. Range is circumpolar south to California and New Mexico.
Stereocaulon vesuvianum
Metals
Tolerant: to heavy metals (Purvis et al. 1992).
Habitat
On mossy noncalcareous rock, often on talus slopes and lava flows, often on cool, moist slopes or where sheltered by topography or trees. Range extends from the Arctic south along the Pacific coast to the central Oregon Cascades, rare inland to central British Columbia.
Sticta fuliginosa
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a broad N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: genus very sensitive, < 11.1 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992).
Habitat
Usually on bark or wood or hardwoods; occasionally on conifers, rarely on rock.Fairly common in warm, moist, low- to mid-elevation mountain conifer forests, and especially in valley and foothill hardwoods such as ash swamps and oak forests. Alaska to California, west of the Cascade Range crest.
Sticta limbata
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: 5-15 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); genus very sensitive, < 11.1 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992); 'pure air' (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Acidic deposition
Sensitive: (Gilbert 1986).
Metals
Reduced C-fixation (photosynthesis) with Zn solution (Brown & Beckett 1983).
Habitat
On bark and wood, rarely rock.Fairly common in warm, moist, low-elevation forests, especially valley and foothill hardwoods such as ash swamps and oak forests. Sporadic in mountain conifer forests. Alaska to California, west of the Cascade Range crest, with rare inland disjuncts in British Columbia.
Sticta weigelii
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: genus very sensitive: < 11.1 ppb (Purvis et al. 1992).
Habitat
On bark, wood, and moss mats on trees and shrubs; rarely on mossy rock.Cool, moist, old-growth conifer forests at middle elevations; uncommon. Alaska to California, west of the Cascade Range crest.
Sulcaria badia
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.4 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Hardwoods in well-lit to partly shaded conditions at low elevations.
Teloschistes flavicans
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to intermediate: absent at 24 ppb (Hawksworth & Rose 1976).
Habitat
On bark and wood of coastal headland and cape forests (usually Picea sitchensis); rare. Sporadic along the West Coast, from northern Oregon to California.
Tuckermannopsis chlorophylla
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.7 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide and acid deposition
Sensitive: present at 3.7-11.1 ppb (Trass 1973).
Fluorine
Intermediate: ? (Peterson et al. 1992).
Habitat
On bark and wood, fallen logs, fences, roofs, rarely on rock. Within the PNW, this is one of the most versatile foliose lichens, being found quite frequently in a range of habitats matched by few plants or lichens. Its habitats range from extreme oceanic sites to dry interior forests in continental climates. It tolerates both full sun and deep shade. Range is circumpolar, subarctic south through Cascades and Rocky Mountains to California and Colorado; common throughout the PNW.
Tuckermannopsis orbata
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.4 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 19.2-28.9 ppb (LeBlanc et al. 1972a).
Habitat
On bark and wood, mainly conifers but also on hardwoods. PNW: Frequent in forests throughout the region. British Columbia to California, inland to western Montana; rare east of the Continental Divide.
Tuckermannopsis platyphylla
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
In the crowns of trees in low to high elevation moist forest, drier inland forests and open-grown trees to timberline. PNW: Widespread in forested mountains.
Tuckermannopsis sepincola
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present from 20-29/absent above 29 ppb (LeBlanc et al. 1972a and LeBlac et al. 1974.).
Habitat
Generally on twigs of shrubs, especially in bogs; Alaska south to northern California and northwestern Montana.
Tuckermannopsis subalpina
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Typically in semi-open to open subalpine forests, rarely to middle elevations in the mountains, mostly not in true alpine areas. PNW: northern OR and WA Cascades.
Umbilicaria cylindrica
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate to Tolerant: from 10 to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On noncalcareous rock of alpine to subalpine habitats from Alaska to Oregon, west of the Cascades; rare.
Umbilicaria polyphylla
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate to Tolerant: from 10 to >30 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Fluorine
Intermediate to Tolerant: ? (Ryan and Rhodes 1992).
Habitat
On noncalcareous rock of exposed to shaded rock outcrops and talus, most common in moist forested parts of the Pacific Northwest. Range is widespread, common between the Cascade and Rocky Mountain crests, occasional west of the Cascade crest.
Usnea cavernosa
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.2 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
Pendent on trees and shrubs. PNW: Low elevation foothills adjacent to the Puget Trough, and the Willamette, Rogue and Medford valleys.
Usnea cornuta
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood. PNW: Common on the immediate coast and coastal forests, Puget trough and Willamette Valey, rare in west Cascades.
Usnea filipendula
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present from 5-15 ppb (Trass 1973).
Habitat
Mesic forests at low to mid elevations, often a dominant species in foothill and valley forests. PNW: widespread throughout forests of OR & WA.
Usnea flavocardia
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
On bark. PNW: Common in forests of western Oregon and Washington.
Usnea florida
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present up to 11 ppb (Hawksworth & Rose 1970).
Habitat
On bark. PNW: rare.
Usnea fulvoreagens
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat On bark and wood. Widespread but uncommon in PNW; low to mid elevations both sides of the Cascades and Wallowas.
Usnea glabrata
Nitrogen deposition
Primarily an oligotroph, but with a broad N tolerance. Acidophyte (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
On bark and wood. Widespread west of the Cascades crest and Wallowas at low to mid elevations.
Usnea glabrescens
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a broad N tolerance, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.6 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood. Infrequent west of the Cascades crest at low to mid elevations. Also in the Wallowas and Selkirk Mountains.
Usnea hirta
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to Intermediate: 12-32 ppb (Trass 1973).
Habitat
On bark and wood. Range is widespread, throughout the Pacific Northwest but rare west of the Cascade crest; most common east of the Continental Divide.
Usnea intermedia
Nitrogen deposition
Acidophyte (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
On trees in northwestern California.
Usnea lapponica
Nitrogen deposition
Mesotroph with a moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 3.2 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark and wood in a wide variety of forests at low to mid elevations; also in shrub steppe. PNW: common throughout OR and WA.
Usnea longissima
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: < 20 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992).
General
Specific habitat demands and low dispersal ability make U.longissima very sensitive to environmental disturbances (Esseen 1981).
Habitat
On bark and wood. In Oregon and Washington usually on riparian trees, both conifers and hardwoods, at low elevations, but not in broad open valleys; most abundant in a narrow band transitional between the mountains and foothills. Alaska to California, west of the Cascade Range crest.
Usnea rubicunda
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark; forests of the immediate OR and WA coast.
Usnea scabrata
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.3 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
One of the most common Usnea species in inland boreal forests, together with U. lapponica and U. substerilis, but in the PNW and British Columbia its range extends to the coast. Mainly on conifers, in open forests at lower to upper elevations.
Usnea subfloridana
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present to 15 ppb (Hawksworth & Rose 1970).
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On trees. Washington and western Oregon. Common.
Usnea subgracilis
Photo by Bruce McCune
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 1.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Habitat
On bark in forests of the immediate coast.
Usnea substerilis
Nitrogen deposition
Acidophyte (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
At low elevations on bark in forests of the immediate coast, Willamette Valley, Columbia River Gorge, Klamath Valley, Wallowas and Blue Mtns of Oregon; Selkirk Mtns, Kettle River Range, and Puget Trough of Washington .
Vulpicida canadensis
Nitrogen deposition
Oligotroph with a low to moderate N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 2.0 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: present at < 20 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On bark and wood, especially frequent on Pinus and Larix, but also on shrubs and other conifers. Common, especially on twigs in conifer forests near water (floodplains, lakeshores, valley bottoms and riparian habitats), but occasionally in upland habitats. Found from British Columbia to California, inland to western Montana, mainly east of the Cascade crest, west of the Cascade crest in SW OR.
Vulpicida pinastri
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: (Kuusinen et al. 1990).
Fluorine
Sensitive: (LeBlanc et al. 1972b).
Habitat
On tree bases, shrubs and dead wood of mountain forests, generally at medium to high elevations, often in cold sites and more tolerant of snow burial than other epiphytic Cetraria-like species. Range is from Alaska to Oregon, east to Montana and south to New Mexico. Most frequent in continental mountain climates, rare in the PNW.
Xanthomendoza fallax
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present at 5.2/ absent at 5.2-10.4 ppb (LeBlanc et al 1972a).
Fluorine
Sensitive to Intermediate: 18 (LeBlanc et al. 1972b).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive to Tolerant: < 20 to > 65 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992).
Habitat
On bark (especially Populus and other broad-leaved spp), occasionally on rock. Mostly open to somewhat sheltered, often nutrient-enriched sites. PNW: Most common in the Willamette and Medford valleys and along the Columbia River, and in forests bordering the Columbia Plateau, infrequent to rare elsewhere.
Xanthomendoza fulva
Nitrogen deposition
Nitrophile (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
On bark, especially of hardwoods. Common in low elevation dry forests of the PNW, notably se OR (Medford and Klamath Valleys), the Columbia River Gorge, the eastern OR and WA Cascades, and other mountain ranges of eastern OR and WA.
Xanthomendoza hasseana
Nitrogen deposition
Nitrophile (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
On bark, especially of hardwoods. Common in low elevation dry forests of the PNW, notably se OR (Medford and Klamath Valleys), the Columbia River Gorge, the eastern OR and WA Cascades, and other mountain ranges of eastern OR and WA.
Xanthomendoza oregana
Nitrogen deposition
Nitrophile (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
On bark, especially of hardwoods. Widespread in low elevation forests throughout the PNW, notably the Puget Trough, Willamette Valley, Rogue Valley, the Columbia River Gorge, the eastern OR and WA Cascades, and other mountain ranges of eastern OR and WA.
Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive: present from 5-15 ppb (Ryan and Rhodes 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On exposed to somewhat sheltered rock, sometimes overgrowing moss or litter over rock. Mostly at low to mid elevations, in both forested and steppe regions. Range is widespread, common throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Xanthoria candelaria
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 22.2/absent at 25.9 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Ozone/PAN
Sensitive: < 20 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992); (Ryan 1990).
Habitat
On rock, also occasionally on bark. Sheltered rock faces in a wide range of macroclimates and elevations; on bark in both open and sheltered sites. Widespread, throughout the PNW.
Xanthoria elegans
Nitrogen deposition
Genus is eutrophic.
Sulfur dioxide
Tolerant: < 16-50 ppb (Vick & Bevan 1976).
Habitat
On rock, both calcareous and noncalcareous, occasionally overgrowing moss or litter over rock. Exposed to somewhat sheltered sites, often where nutrient enriched by bird or small mammal droppings. Widespread; throughout the PNW.
Xanthoria parietina
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Intermediate: present at 25.9/ absent at 25.9-33.3 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Deruelle 1977, Johnsen & Søchting 1973 & 1976, Jürgling 1975, Trass 1973, Vick & Bevan 1976), absent above 26 ppb (Hawksworth and Rose 1970).
Fluorine
Sensitive to Intermediate: (Perkins & Millar 1987a).
Intermediate to Tolerant: (Perkins & Millar 1987b).
Habitat
On bark and wood, rarely on rock (e.g. gravestones).Hardwood forests in low-elevation broad valleys; scattered on Populus and other hardwoods in riparian areas in agricultural and populated areas. West of the Cascade crest; so far known in the PNW only from the Willamette-Puget trough and along the Columbia River from Portland to the Dalles.
Xanthoria polycarpa
Nitrogen deposition
Eutroph with a high N requirement, peak detection frequency occurs at 6.1 kg N per ha per y (McCune and Geiser 2009).
Sulfur dioxide
Sensitive to Intermediate: present at 5.2-20/absent at 24 ppb (Wetmore 1983 based on Hawksworth & Rose 1970, LeBlanc et al. 1972a, Trass 1973).
Fluorine
Sensitive to Intermediate: 19 (LeBlanc et al. 1972b).
Ozone/PAN
Intermediate to Tolerant: (Ryan 1990); > 65 ppb (Peterson et al. 1992).
Habitat
On bark and wood; mostly on hardwoods but occasionally on conifers, often where nutrient enriched. In a wide range of habitats at low to middle elevations, but most common on hardwood twigs; also on sagebrush in steppe and in other dry open habitats. Widespread; common throughout the PNW.
Xanthoria tenax
Nitrogen deposition
Nitrophile (Jovan 2008).
Habitat
On bark and wood; known from California. Grows interspersed with Xanthoria polycarpa.