Usnea articulata is included on Section 42 of the NERC act, making it a species of “principal importance for conservation of biological diversity in Wales”, because of its rarity in Wales and the significant loss of historic sites. But it now appears to be undergoing an astonishing resurgence, in South Wales at least, with the discovery of more than 20 new sites in the last 5 years. Sam Bosanquet from the Countryside Council for Wales has just produced a new report detailing the recent discoveries of new populations of Usnea articulata in South Wales.
See also the Lichens of Wales species account for Usnea articulata.