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The ecology and management of Ear-lobed Dog- ( lepidophora) and other of rocky river edges ) by John Douglass Design: rjpdesign.co.uk Print: crownlitho.co.uk ) and Ideal habitat for Ear-lobed Dog-lichen ( Peltigera lepidophora

3 Front cover image: Ear-lobed Dog-lichen ( 23155_Peltigera:ascophyllum leaflet 17/11/08 10:38 Page 2

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Peltigera lephidophora © Stephen Sharnoff

This leaflet reveals more about the elusive Ear-lobed Dog-lichen (Peltigera lepidophora) and other species of lichens that grow along rocky rivers. What to do if you find them, and how you can help them to thrive.

Plantlife is the UK’s leading charity working to Plantlife Scotland protect wild plants and their habitats. The charity Balallan House has 10,000 members and owns 23 nature reserves. Allan Park In 2008, Plantlife is ‘Lead Partner’ for 77 species Stirling under the UK Government’s Biodiversity Action FK8 2QG Plan. Conservation of these species is delivered Tel. 01786 478509 through the charity’s Back from the Brink species recovery programme, which is jointly funded by www.plantlife.org.uk Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England, [email protected] Scottish Natural Heritage, charitable trusts, companies and individuals. It involves its members as volunteers (Flora Guardians) in delivering many aspects of this work. Plantlife’s head office is in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and the charity has national offices in Wales and Scotland. 23155_Peltigera:ascophyllum leaflet 17/11/08 10:38 Page 1

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What are lichens? important. Some of the richest sites contain Lichens are curious dual organisms. They are basic rocks (such as mildly calcareous often thought of as plants but in fact they are sedimentary rocks like sandstones and a tight association between an alga or mudstones) or igneous rocks (such as basalts (photobiont) and a and andesites). Lichens of limestone rivers (mycobiont). Lichens gain their nutrients from are very different from those found on highly the photobiont, which captures the sun's silicaceous river rocks such as quartzite and energy through photosynthesis. The fungus granite. protects the photobiont from drying and from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. This The Ear-lobed Dog-lichen (Peltigera means that lichens can inhabit some of the lepidophora) is extremely rare in most inhospitable places on earth. Scotland. The Ear-lobed Dog-lichen is one of Britain’s The main body of a lichen is known as the rarest lichens. First recorded for Britain in thallus. Lichens reproduce using fruiting 1971, to date it has still been recorded only bodies, known as apothecia, or by means of on a single rocky outcrop in a river gorge in fragmentation of the lichen itself in special Perthshire. peg-like structures (isidia) or powdery structures (soralia). Dog-lichens (Peltigera lichens) ● Peltigera species are leafy (foliose) lichens Lichens of rocky river edges and have a distinctly different upper and Scotland, with its wet climate, great variety lower surface. The upper surface is of rock types and glacial history has some of sometimes smooth and shiny or matt and ’s best developed river communities minutely hairy. The lower surface always of plants, fungi and lichens. River rocks has root-like structures, known as rhizines, provide important habitats for lichens. and often has pale or dark veining. There are over 80 restricted to this habitat ● They are among the largest and fastest alone including seven British Red Data Book growing of all the lichens and may grow up species. Lichen communities are best to 2 to 3 centimetres per year. developed in the upper to middle stretches ● Dog-lichens are also known as Dog-tooth of rivers, whereas eutrophication and heavy lichens as their root-like rhizines resemble silting reduces lichen diversity in the lower canine fangs. These rhizines are found in alluvial stretches. Fast water flow in the other lichens but they are rarely as higher reaches can cause heavy scouring of pronounced as in the Dog-tooth lichens. In rocks, making them unstable habitats. Lichens medieval times Peltigeras were thought to occur in bands depending on how well they be a good remedy for dog bites. are adapted to submergence. The richest ● They sometimes produce red-brown or sites are rocky stretches that are not too black fruiting bodies. These are spore- deeply shaded by bank-side vegetation, and bearing apothecia, which are saddle where there are large areas of exposed rock shaped, flattened or oval. The apothecia are outcrops and boulders. Rock type is produced on the ends of the lobes.

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● Peltigeras are often relatively rapid 0.5 millimetres in diameter and occur on the colonisers. upper surface of the lobes. The under- ● Nineteen species of Dog-lichen occur in surface is whitish with distinct, pale, grey-fawn Britain, all of which are found in Scotland. veins and small un-branched rhizines. This is an ephemeral species and its abundance and More about the Ear-lobed Dog- apparent health may be seasonal. It is lichen (Peltigera lepidophora) thought that the species is best developed Peltigera lepidophora is bluish grey when wet, during the autumn, winter and spring months brownish grey when dry and can grow up to and is less apparent in summer. six centimetres in diameter with lobes to one centimetre wide. The lobes are concave or Conservation protection status of ear-shaped with inrolled margins, which are Peltigera lepidophora frequently torn or eroded. Small scale-like ● Legal status: Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and outgrowths, called isidia, are approximately Countryside Act 1981.

ᮢ Peltigera lepidophora habitat showing its position among grasses near the top of the outcrop © John Douglass

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● Red Data Book Category: Critically Endangered, Nationally rare. ● UK BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) priority species.

Habitat and distribution of Peltigera lepidophora in Britain The only known British site where this lichen is found is a calcareous sandstone conglomerate outcrop along a steep, wooded gorge in Perthshire. Winter and spring water levels are very high and the site is liable to inundation from the river, whilst in summer months the outcrop is subjected to long dry spells. The outcrop contains deposited silt, providing some nutrient enrichment. Colonies of bryophytes and annuals occur here with occasional crustose and Dog-lichens. It is relatively well-lit, due to its position on the north side of the river, but is sheltered by steep wooded slopes on either side. The lowest occurring colonies of this lichen occur in a zone where the more submerged-tolerant species of bryophytes occur.

World distribution and habitat of Peltigera lepidophora Peltigera lepidophora is frequent in Scandinavia, local in central and eastern Europe, and rare in western Europe. It has also been recorded in Peltigera lepidophora showing the plate-like Hawaii, , South America and isidia on top of the lobes © John Douglass New Zealand. Its European habitat is on the ground on slightly calcareous substrata, sometimes over bryophytes, and often with some nutrient enrichment. It occurs across some of the northern and central states of North America on exposed soil, road cuts and trail banks usually in open, dry habitats. In New Zealand it has been found at 1800 metres on calcareous soil.

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Peltigera didactyla showing the circular soralia (powdery reproductive structures) © John Douglass

Other dog-lichen species which is very common and may be confused with the Ear-lobed forms wide radiating patches up to 40cm Dog-lichen across. The lobes are up to 3cm wide, are grey when dry and brown when wet, and have Peltigera didactyla has powdery granules in a felt-like, ridged upper surface. The lower distinct circular patches, called soredia, that surface is whitish with pale, raised veins and form on the lobe surface. dispersed bottle-brush like rhizines.

Peltigera praetextata is generally larger, with is occasional to rare, and lobes up to 3cm in size and has small lobe-like coloured bright green when wet and pale isidia mostly clustered along the lobe margins brownish-grey when dry. The lower surface or along the edges of splits on the upper has indistinct veins and the upper surface has surface of the lobes. small, dark, button-like cephalodia. These are structures containing a cyanobacterial photobiont, which is a different photobiont to that of the thallus, or main body of the lichen.

Peltigera hymenina is very common, forming large patches up to 20cm across with matt or shiny grey or brown lobes up to 2cm wide. The lower surface is cream or light brown with flat veins and pale simple rhizines.

ᮤ showing the plate like isidia, which mainly develop along the edges of the lobes © John Douglass 4 23155_Peltigera:ascophyllum leaflet 17/11/08 10:39 Page 5

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Peltigera mambranacea showing the fang-like rhizines (root-like structures) © John Douglass

Peltigera horizontalis has a blue-grey upper surface, often tinged brown and with glossy lobes. The lower surface is pale at the edges but darker towards the centre. The apothecia (orange/brown spore producing bodies) are horizontal to the lobes.

ᮣ Peltigera hymenina showing the apothecia (orange-brown spore producing structures) © Paul Whelan

ᮢ showing the apothecia ᮢ Peltigera britannica showing the dark, flat (orange-brown spore producing structures) which cephalodia on the green lobes. © John Douglass. are horizontal to the lobes © Paul Whelan

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Dermatocarpon luridum with its lurid green Dermatocarpon meiophyllizum resembling lobes (when wet) brownish grey when dry brown scales or cracked dry mud © John Douglass © John Douglass

ᮣ Collema crispum is found only on highly calcareous rocks. It has small lobules on top of the lobes © John Douglass

Other lichens found on rocky river edges Rocks which are submerged for all or most of the year provide habitat for many crustose species including Verrucaria and Staurothele species. The Nationally scarce and Red Data Book River Jelly Lichen (RJL) (Collema dichotomum) occurs in this zone. Rocks which are submerged periodically can support the Ear-lobed Dog-lichen together with leafy lichens such as Dermatocarpon luridum and Dermatocarpon meiophyllizum and jelly lichens such as Collema crispum, Collema flaccidum and the Nationally rare Leptogium subtorulosum. Crustose species such as Bacidia inundata, Ionaspis lacustris, Rhizocarpon lavatum and Verrucaria praetermissa can also occur in this zone.

ᮣ Collema dichotomum or River Jelly Lichen has small strap like lobes, which often flare out and turn up at the end. It also has a distinctive rubbery or plastic feel © John Douglass

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Perceived threats to lichens of rocky river edges ● Shading of river rocks by tree canopy along the river edge with beech and conifers being the worst ‘offenders’. This is issue is often resolved by land managers who keep river edges open for anglers. ● Compaction or disturbance of soil by trampling or machinery ● Local habitat change, for example clear felling nearby ● Loss of habitat through erosion by flood events Collema flaccidum with its thin, papery, wide ● Competition with invasive non-native plants spreading lobes © John Douglass such as Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam (also known as Indian Balsam) and Japanese Knotweed or with native invasives such as Bracken or regenerating shrubs or trees ● Hyper-eutrophication of soils through agricultural run-off or waste water ● Pollution of soils through chemical spill or agricultural run-off ● Lack of awareness of the habitat requirements of lichens amongst landowners. ᮤ Leptogium plicatile with contorted and wrinkled lobes © John Douglass

What you can do if you find Ear-lobed Dog-lichen ● This is a species of conservation concern and collecting it requires a licence and permission from the landowner. ● Photograph the lichen and write a description of your observations of the species itself, the habitat, grid reference and the date. Then contact Plantlife or a lichenologist for further assistance. ● Refer to the management guidelines below if interventions are proposed for the site. ● Pass on any records of this species to the British Lichen Society recording scheme.

ᮤ The Nationally rare Leptogium subtorulosum with thin inrolled lobes © John Douglass

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Management recommendations for Recommended texts and references lichens of rocky river edges ● Ensure minimal physical disturbance of the Brodo, I,R. Sharnoff, S.D. Sharnoff, S. (2001) Lichens site and the locality of North America. Yale University Press. ● Get to know specialist lichenologists in Church, J.M. Coppins B.J. Gilbert O.L, James P.W, order to inform site management. Stewart N.F. (1996) Red Data Books of Britain. and Specialist advice should be sought from a Ireland: Lichens. Volume 1: Britain JNCC lichenologist if there is a change in the management of the site. Coppins, B.J. (2002) Checklist of Lichens of Great ● Ensure contractors and land managers are Britain and Ireland. London. British Lichen Society. aware of the presence of these lichens and their importance. Coppins, A.M. & Coppins B.J. (1995 updated 1998) Ear-lobed Dog lichen Peltigera lepidophora, Species ● Water quality of the site should be dossier. Scottish Natural Heritage and Royal monitored regularly and the risk of pollution Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. incidences should be minimised, for example by providing advice on local farm waste Coppins, A.M. & Coppins B.J. (1999). Craighall management in the catchment area. Gorge SSSI Monitoring of Peltigera lepidophora. ● Control litter and fires. SNH report: F99LH07A. ● Increase the awareness of this species by Coppins, A.M. & Coppins B.J. (June 2004) Craighall publishing articles and/or providing Gorge SSSI Establishing Baseline Site Condition identification workshops. Monitoring. Scottish Natural Heritage. ● Raise awareness of the importance of the site and its rare lichens to anglers, Purvis, O.W., Coppins B.J., Hawksworth D.L., James canoeists and other water users. P.W., Moore, D.M. (1992). The Lichen Flora of the ● If one of the rarer lichens, such as the Ear- Great Britain and Ireland. Natural History Museum lobed-Dog lichen, River Jelly Lichen or and British Lichen Society. Leptogium subtorulosum is found, then the site UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - should be monitored at least every six years. Volume III: Plants and fungi. February 1999, (Tranche 2, Vol III), p133. Does Peltigera lepidophora exist anywhere else in Scotland? Dobson, F. (2005) Lichens: An Illustrated Guide to the th Although there is only one known site, it is British and Irish Species 5 Edition. Richmond possible that it lives undiscovered elsewhere. An Publishing Co. Ltd. extended survey of the river gorge where it is Fletcher, A. (ed) (2001) Lichen Habitat Management. found, along with other similar river gorges in British Lichen Society and Countryside Council for this region, might reveal further sites. Wales. Chapter 8, Freshwater Habitats by Oliver Gilbert. Further research is needed to establish the exact habitat requirements and ephemeral Gilbert, O. (2000) Lichens. Collins New Naturalist character of this species, so that lichenologists series. Harper Collins, London. p 222. have a clearer idea of to where else to look. Gilbert, O. (2004) Lichens. Scottish Natural Heritage, Naturally Scottish Series. 8 23155_Peltigera:ascophyllum leaflet 17/11/08 10:39 Page 9

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Peltigera membranacea growing with mosses Websites © Matilda Scharsach, Plantlife www.bls.org.uk The British Lichen Society (BLS) has information on all aspects of and includes details of other This leaflet was written for Plantlife publications, courses and web links. Scotland by John Douglass, Lichenologist.

www.uklichens.co.uk The UK lichens Contacts for advice and further website has useful photos of UK species. information

Scottish Lichenology yahoo group. This is a For help with recording or identifying discussion group, which can answer questions lichens contact: on all aspects of lichenology. Plantlife Scotland www.nwdg.org.uk The Native Woodland Balallan House Discussion Group (NWDG) runs courses on Allan Park Atlantic woodland lichens. Stirling FK8 2QG www.lichens.ie This is a well produced Tel. 01786 478509 educational web site on lichens. [email protected] www.plantlife.org.uk

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Conservation staff learning about Peltigera lichens in the field © Matilda Scharsach, Plantlife

British Lichen Society www.plantlife.org.uk [email protected] ) by John Douglass Design: rjpdesign.co.uk Print: crownlitho.co.uk Peltigera lepidophora

Plantlife International – The Wild Plant Conservation Charity ) and Ideal habitat for Ear-lobed Dog-lichen ( Plantlife Scotland Balallan House, Allan Park, Stirling FK8 2QG

Tel. 01786 478509 Peltigera lepidophora

ISBN: 978-1-904749-46- 2 © October 2008

Plantlife International – The Wild Plant Conservation Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity Number: 1059559 Registered Company Number: 3166339. Registered in England Charity registered in Scotland no. SC038951 Front cover image: Ear-lobed Dog-lichen (