Lobarion community
The following provides some guidance on the identification of the Lobarion lichen community.
When well-developed this is a spectacular community that can include some of the largest foliose lichens.Unfortunately most of its constituent species are highly sensitive to sulphur dioxide, acid rain and excessive ammonia levels and many examples of the Lobarion in Wales are now species poor.
The Lobarion is likely to be present on a tree or shrub or any rock face that supports the following:-
Any species in the following genera:
| Degelia | Menegazzia | Parmeliella (except P. parvula - see below) |
| Fuscopannaria | Nephroma | Pseudocyphellaria |
| Heterodermia | Pannaria | Sticta |
| Lobaria |
Any of the following species (* = species also individually listed on S42):
| Agonimia octospora | Leptogium brebissonii* | Phyllopsora rosei |
| Collema fasciculare* | Leptogium cochleatum* | Porina coralloidea |
| Collema furfuraceum | Pachyphiale carneola | Porina hibernica* |
| Gyalecta flotowii* | Parmotrema crinitum | Punctelia reddenda |
| Gomphillus calycioides | Peltigera collina | Thelopsis rubella |
| Leptogium burgessii |
Any three of the following species:
| Acrocordia gemmata | Leptogium teretiusculum | Parmeliella parvula |
| Arthonia vinosa | Loxospora elatina | Peltigera horizontalis |
| Catinaria atropurpurea | Mycobilimbia pilularis | Pertusaria hemisphaerica |
| Dimerella lutea | Normandina pulchella | Thelotrema lepadinum |
| Leptogium lichenoides | Opegrapha sorediifera |
For fuller details see James, P.W., Hawksworth, D.L. & Rose, F.(1977). Lichen Communities in the British Isles pgs 322-327 in Lichen Ecology,Seaward, MRD (Ed.), Academic Press, London).