Researchers from the Nature Trust of New Brunswick are currently seeking out four distinct types of lichens, with a recent discovery in an uncommon location. The scaly fringe lichen, scientifically known as heterodermia squamulosa, was located between Alma and Riverside-Albert, situated to the east of Fundy National Park. According to Ilana Urquhart, a conservation coordinator at the Nature Trust, this finding marks the furthest eastern sighting of this species to date.
Lichens, which are a symbiotic combination of a fungus and a photosynthetic partner like algae, typically manifest as grey, yellow, or green crusty patches growing on surfaces such as trees, resembling moss. Although lichens can be challenging to locate, they are commonly found on rocks and trees. The scaly fringe lichen, alongside the wrinkled shingle lichen, the blue felt lichen, and the white-rimmed shingle lichen, are particularly elusive species according to Urquhart.
These lichen species have been assessed for their rarity in the province, with the wrinkled shingle lichen classified as endangered, while the white-rimmed and scaly fringe lichens are considered threatened, and the blue felt lichen marked as a species of special concern. Urquhart emphasized that lichens serve as valuable indicators of a thriving ecosystem that can sustain diverse species, thriving in biodiverse and rich environments.
The primary threat to lichens is habitat destruction, often induced by activities like logging and harvesting. Due to the scarcity of observational data on these lichens, the findings by the Nature Trust will be shared with fellow researchers and integrated into the province’s data repository. Supported by funding from Environment Climate Change Canada through the Habitat Stewardship Program, the Nature Trust researchers have expanded their search for lichens since 2022, exploring various habitats like cedar swamps, maple swamps, and hardwood areas.
Their exploration has primarily focused on the Charlotte County region, the Wolastoq (St. John River), and the coastal islands of the Bay of Fundy. While the Nature Trust has located the scaly fringe lichen, white-rimmed shingle lichen, and wrinkled shingle lichen, they are still in pursuit of the blue felt lichen, known to inhabit Charlotte County and Grand Manan.
