Current status
Cladonia mediterranea is a foliose lichen, which grows on basic soils (pH 7.0-7.3), forming straggling low clumps amongst open vegetation. In Cornwall it grows on a bank in Serpentine heath, with a mosaic of rock, amongst Festuca rubra and Calluna vulgaris. In Pembroke it grows with Calluna amongst coarse boulder scree, and on Lundy it is found in damp areas between stands of Calluna. The taxonomic status of this species in Britain has recently been questioned. Material from the Lizard, Cornwall does appear to represent C. mediterranea, but at other sites it is possible that records may in fact be chemical variants of C. portentosa. Clarification of these issues are needed.
This species is restricted in Britain to three sites on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, Pembrokeshire and Lundy Island. In 1986 it was described as not abundant on the Lizard site, in a report written following a field meeting of the British Lichen Society. There is some evidence that, when the Cornish population was surveyed in 1986, the colonies were more fragmented and in poorer condition than when collected 35 years earlier. This species is otherwise known from the Mediterranean, western France, the former Yugoslavia, Turkey, North Africa and the Canary Islands.
This species is classified as Critically Endangered in Great Britain. It receives general protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This species belongs to the sub-genus Cladina which is listed under Annex Vb of the EC Habitats Directive.
Current factors causing loss or decline
C. mediterranea is particularly vulnerable because of the small size of the extant populations. Potential threats include trampling by domestic livestock and walkers, and moorland fires.
Current action
The Cornish site is within a NNR, and the other sites are SSSIs.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain extant populations of this species, subject to taxonomic confirmation at each site.
Where biologically feasible and appropriate enhance extant populations of this species, subject to taxonomic confirmation at each site.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
None proposed.
Site safeguard and management
Where possible, ensure that management on all SSSIs where C. mediterranea occurs is sympathetic to the conservation of this species. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Assess the threats to extant populations of this species posed by trampling from livestock and walkers. Where necessary, devise and implement measures to ensure that these threats are minimised. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Devise and implement measures to minimise the risk to extant sites posed by moorland fires. Appropriate measures may include the creation of fire-breaks. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Species management and protection
None proposed.
Advisory
Advise landowners and managers, and relevant agencies, of the presence and importance of Cladonia mediterranea, specific management for its conservation, and any potentially damaging actions. Landowners and managers should have access to specialist advice if needed. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Future Research and Monitoring
Undertake an investigation to clarify the distinction between C. mediterranea and C. portentosa, and use the findings to help revise earlier records attributed to C. mediterranea. (ACTION: JNCC)
Undertake a thorough survey of all sites from which this species has been recorded in order to determine the current status of this species at each, and to assess the threats to extant colonies. If proved to occur at Lundy and in Pembrokeshire widen the search to other suitable areas. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Monitor all extant sites regularly in order to assess changes in population size and habitat quality. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Communications and Publicity
Encourage lichenologists to pass all records of Cladonia mediterranea including ecological information, to a national database. (ACTION: CCW, NE, JNCC)
Liaise with specialist societies to increase the awareness and identification skills of lichenologists and other naturalists in relation to this species, through publishing articles or holding identification workshops. (ACTION: CCW, NE, JNCC)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Cladonia mediterranea:
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume III: Plants and fungi (February 1999, Tranche 2, Vol III, p105)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species