R9 Species Conservation Assessment for Lobaria quercizans Michx. in The Upper Great Lakes National Forests

Abstract

Lobaria quercizans Michx. is designated as a Regional Forester Sensitive Species on the Superior National Forest in the Eastern Region of the Forest Service. The species occurs on the Chequamegon-Nicolet, Hiawatha, Huron-Manistee, and Ottawa National Forests. The purpose of this document is to provide the background information necessary to prepare Conservation Approaches and a Conservation Strategy that will include management actions to conserve the species. This conservation assessment provides available information on Lobaria quercizans Michx. and its distribution, habitat, range, status, life history, and ecology. Lobaria quercizans grows on old-growth hardwood trees in eastern Asia and eastern North America. In North American it has an Appalachian-Great Lakes distribution. It is not found in Europe. In the Great Lakes area common habitat for this species is on old-growth sugar maple and black ash. Threats to Lobaria quercizans are large-scale logging that would eliminate areas of old-growth sugar maple and yellow birch.