SPECIES: Scientific [common] Thamnolia subuliformis – (Ehrh.) Culb. [Whiteworm lichen] Forest: Salmon–Challis National Forest Forest Reviewer: Jessica M Dhaemers; Brittni Brown; John Proctor, Rose Lehman Date of Review: 10/13/2017; 13 February 2018; 15 March 2018 Forest concurrence (or NO recommendation if new) for inclusion of species on list of potential SCC: (Enter Yes or No)
FOREST REVIEW RESULTS:
1. The Forest concurs or recommends the species for inclusion on the list of potential SCC: Yes___ No_X__
2. Rationale for not concurring is based on (check all that apply): Species is not native to the plan area ______Species is not known to occur in the plan area ______Species persistence in the plan area is not of substantial concern ___X____
FOREST REVIEW INFORMATION:
1. Is the Species Native to the Plan Area? Yes _X_ No___
If no, provide explanation and stop assessment.
2. Is the Species Known to Occur within the Planning Area? Yes _X _ No___
If no, stop assessment. Table 1. All Known Occurrences, Years, and Frequency within the Planning Area Year Number of Location of Observations (USFS Source of Information Observed Individuals District, Town, River, Road Intersection, HUC, etc.) 1987 Not Middle Fork Ranger District IDFG Element Occurrence EO reported Along the Middle Fork Salmon Number: 1 River, across from Hospital Bar; EO_ID: 3589 in Frank Church–River of No Old EO_ID: 9675 Return Wilderness and Middle Fork Salmon River Wild and Scenic River Corridor (Wild classification); moss-covered, north-facing small cliff band, 4,100 feet in elevation 1996 Not Lost River Ranger District Consortium of North American reported Vicinity of Mill Lake in Mill Lake Lichen Herbarium. 2017. Research Natural Area, around Thamnolia subuliformis (Ehrh.) Year Number of Location of Observations (USFS Source of Information Observed Individuals District, Town, River, Road Intersection, HUC, etc.) the upper, smaller lakes; on soil, W.L. Culb., Detailed Collection 5,900 feet in elevation Record Information. Internet website: http://lichenportal.org/portal/ collections/individual/index.php? occid=2581947&clid=0. Accessed on September 20, 2017.
a. Are all Species Occurrences Only Accidental or Transient?
Yes___ No_ X _
If yes, document source for determination and stop assessment.
b. For species with known occurrences on the Forest since 1990, based on the number of observations and/or year of last observation, can the species be presumed to be established or becoming established in the plan area?
Yes_X__ No___
If no, provide explanation and stop assessment
c. For species with known occurrences on the Forest predating 1990, does the weight of evidence suggest the species still occurs in the plan area?
Yes__ No___
Provide explanation for determination: N/A. There is one occurrence recorded since 1990.
If determination is no, stop assessment
d. Map 1, Whiteworm lichen occurrences on the Salmon–Challis National Forest (IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Information System, Species Diversity Database, Idaho Natural Heritage Data. Accessed February 27, 2017.)
3. Is There Substantial Concern for the Species’ Capability to persist Over the Long-term in the Plan Area Based on Best Available Scientific Information?
Table 2. Status summary based on existing conservation assessments
Entity Status/Rank (include definition if Other) Global Rank G3G5—Vulnerable (At moderate risk of extinction due to a restricted range, relatively few populations [often 80 or fewer], recent and widespread declines, or other factors) to Secure (Common; widespread and abundant)1 State Rank S1—Critically imperiled (At very high risk of extinction due to extreme rarity [often 5 or fewer populations], very steep declines, or other factors)1 USDA Forest Region 1: Not listed2 Service Region 4: Not listed3 USDI FWS Not listed as a candidate species4 Other Idaho Native Plant Society: G3G5 S2 RARE5
BLM: Not listed6 1. Idaho Natural Heritage Program. 2016. IDNHP Tracked Plant Species 2016. On file. Accessed January 12, 2018 2. USFS Region 1. 2011. 2011 Sensitive Species List Idaho and Montana. Website: http://fsweb.r1.fs.fed.us/wildlife/wwfrp/TESnew.htm. Accessed January 10, 2017. 3. USFS Region 4. 2016. Proposed, Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Species List. On file. Accessed January 11, 2017. 4. USFWS. 2017. Candidate species believed to or known to occur in Idaho. Website: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/reports/species-listed-by-state-report?state=ID&status=candidate. Accessed January 12, 2018. 5. Idaho Native Plant Society. 2018. INPS Plants to Present at 2018 RPC. 2018 Idaho Rare Plant Conference. On file. Accessed March 1, 2018. 6. BLM. 2016. Bureau of Land Management Idaho Special Status Plants List Aug 2016. On file. Accessed 15 January, 2018.
Table 3. Status summary based on best available scientific information.
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations 1 A2 Whiteworm lichen is known from two locations on the Forest, from the Consortium of North American Lichen Distribution on Middle Fork and Lost River Ranger Districts (IDFG Element Occurrence Herbarium. 2017. Thamnolia Salmon–Challis data; Consortium of North American Lichen Herbarium 2017). The subuliformis (Ehrh.) W. L. Culb. National Forest occurrence in the Lost River Ranger District appears to be in typical Internet website: alpine habitat, while the occurrence from the Middle Fork Ranger District http://lichenportal.org/portal/taxa/ind ex.php?taxon=120894. Accessed on appears to be from lower elevation, subalpine forest habitat; this September 20, 2017. occurrence may be at or near the lower elevation limit for this species. Targeted surveys have not been completed for lichen species on the IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife SCNF. Information System, Species Diversity Database, Idaho Natural Heritage Potential habitat (see Criterion 6) is moderately abundant across the Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. Forest, but likely patchy and isolated (Rank A). This, and the difficulty in locating and accurately identifying the species, moderates confidence in our understanding of the species distribution on the Forest.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 2 C Whiteworm lichen is relatively widely distributed outside of the Forest. Beyer, C. 2009. “Thamnolia Distribution in Within Idaho, the species is also known from the Idaho Panhandle vermicularis, Sponsorship for the CALS surrounding National Forest (IDFG 2017). NatureServe (2017) lists the range within Conservation Committee.” Bulletin of geographic area the US as Idaho and Wyoming, and also in the Canadian provinces of the California Lichen Society 16(2):21- Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Quebec. 26.
Consortium of North American Lichen Beyer (2009) reports that the species occurs in the Rocky Mountains and Herbarium. 2017. Thamnolia northern Appalachians. The species also has been reported from Alaska subuliformis (Ehrh.) W. L. Culb. (Walker et al. 2001) and the Cascade Range of Washington State and Internet website: British Columbia (Douglas and Bliss 1977). http://lichenportal.org/portal/taxa/ind ex.php?taxon=120894. Accessed on September 20, 2017.
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations The Consortium of North American Lichen Herbarium (2017) lists additional international collections of various recognized subspecies from Douglas, G.W., and L.C. Bliss. 1977. Greenland, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. “Alpine and High Subalpine Plant Communities of the North Cascades Because this species has a well-reported, wide distribution outside of the Range, Washington and British Columbia.” Ecological Monographs Salmon–Challis National Forest, this criterion was ranked “C.” 47(2):113-150.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Information System, Species Diversity Database, Idaho Natural Heritage Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017.
NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Internet website: http://explorer.natureserve.org. Accessed on September 20, 2017.
Walker, D.A., J.G. Bockheim, F.S. Chapin III, W. Eugster, F.E. Nelson, and C.L. Ping. 2001. “Calcium-rich tundra, wildlife, and the ‘Mammoth Steppe’.” Quaternary Science Reviews 20(2001):149-163. 3 B Whiteworm lichen is sterile, with no known sexual or vegetative Cassie, D.M. 2006. “Population Dispersal reproductive structures except fragments of thallus branches (i.e., the Structure of Thamnolia subuliformis Capability “body”). In genetic population studies of this and another lichen in and Dicranum elongatum in Manitoba, Canada, Cassie (2006) reported that efficient dispersal may be northeastern coastal regions of possible via wind or animal movement. Wind may transport thallus Wapusk National Park, Manitoba.” Master’s thesis, University of
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations fragments across low-lying tundra vegetation, and animals (e.g., caribou) Manitoba, Winnipeg. may transport thallus fragments for long distances that adhere to their hooves or fur on their lower legs. Fragments may subsequently be Cassie, D.M., and M.D. Piercey- deposited in other areas, or be washed off in lakes or ponds and get Normore. 2008. “Dispersal in a sterile moved by wave action to other areas. Cassie and Piercey-Normore (2008) lichen-forming fungus, Thamnolia subuliformis (Ascomycotina: report that the open tundra of their study area in Manitoba contains Icmadophilaceae).” Botany 86:751- fragments of T. subuliformis randomly scattered over the landscape, 762. giving the appearance that dispersal is common. Cassie and Piercey- Normore (2008) documented dispersal in this manner over sites approximately 6.2 to 9.3 miles apart.
Although dispersal within suitable habitat may readily occur, long- distance dispersal between patches of habitat may be more limited due to habitat-related limitations (i.e., lower elevation valleys between alpine environments). However, dispersal likely plays a less significant role for this taxon because it occupies relatively stable alpine habitats as opposed to ephemeral habitats (e.g., recently burned areas, forest openings created by windfall or avalanche). For these reasons, this criterion was ranked “B.”
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 4 D Whiteworm lichen has been documented from two occurrences on the Abundance on the Forest. Abundance estimates are not reported from either occurrence, Salmon–Challis and comprehensive surveys for this species have not been conducted National Forest throughout suitable habitats on the Forest (Rank D).
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations 5 D Insufficient information exists to be able to draw conclusions about the Population Trend population trend of whiteworm lichen on the Salmon–Challis National on the Salmon– Forest. Population estimates are not recorded for either occurrence on Challis National the Forest, nor is data available to indicate that monitoring or re- Forest surveying of either of these populations has occurred (Rank D).
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 6 B Whiteworm lichen is typically a species of alpine habitats, where it occurs Cassie, D.M. 2006. “Population Habitat Trend on on alpine sods on windswept peaks and ridges (NatureServe 2017). Structure of Thamnolia subuliformis the Salmon–Challis Lichens generally exhibit physiological ability to tolerate unfavorable and Dicranum elongatum in National Forest environmental conditions, such as dry soils, calcareous substrates, high northeastern coastal regions of winds, high UV levels, and desiccation (Cassie 2006). Typical alpine Wapusk National Park, Manitoba.” Master’s thesis, University of environments exhibit severe climatic conditions such as high winds, low Manitoba, Winnipeg. snow cover, and extremes in temperature and moisture availability. Consortium of North American Lichen The occurrence from the Middle Fork Ranger District was found at lower Herbarium. 2017. Thamnolia elevation habitat on the canyon wall in the Middle Fork Salmon River subuliformis (Ehrh.) W.L. Culb. Internet Canyon (R. Rosentrater pers. commun.). Within this hanging wall habitat, website: T. subuliformis is likely protected from many threats that exist in the http://lichenportal.org/portal/taxa/ind canyon including anthropogenic disturbance, invasive weeds, and ex.php?taxon=120894. Accessed on wildfire. September 20, 2017.
Aerial imagery (Google Earth 2017) and a USFS GIS database (2016) were Google Earth 2017. Salmon–Challis National Forest. Internet website: used to review potential disturbances at each EO. No evidence of https://www.google.com/earth/. residential or agricultural development or mining was depicted at each Accessed on October 19, 2017. site. The 2007 Red Bluff Fire burned a portion of the mapped EO 1 area, however, for reasons described above, the population was likely not IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife disturbed. Information System, Species Diversity Database, Idaho Natural Heritage The 1996 record is within an active grazing allotment, however, rocky Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017.
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations habitats where this species occurs are not likely to be highly impacted by livestock. The noxious rush skeletonweed is relatively abundant in EO 1 IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish and vicinity; the nearest mapped weed polygon is within 500 feet of the Game). 2017. Idaho State Wildlife record. Action Plan, 2015. Boise ID.
Mancuso, M., Lehman, R. 2016. Alpine The non-motorized Middle Fork Trail is near EO 1. Because the trail likely plant community sampling and discourages off-trail travel by hikers, they may be less likely to impact the stewardship assessment in the Sheep lichen through trampling. Mountain Research Natural Area, Lemhi Mountains, Idaho. Caribou- Air quality, which has been known to impact lichen species, is considered Targhee National Forest, Idaho Falls, good within the SCNF, and is not likely to impact T. subuliformis ID and Salmon-Challis National Forest, occurrences on the Forest. Salmon, ID.
Approximately 1.2% (~ 51,000 acres) of vegetation on the Forest is NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe classified as alpine and 3% as barren-rock (~130,000 acres) (based on Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life Landfire biophysical settings) (USFS 2017). It is unclear how much barren- [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. rock occurs within the alpine zone. Although these systems are rare and Internet website: unique, they are well represented on the Forest (USFS 2017). http://explorer.natureserve.org. Accessed on September 20, 2017. Because alpine vegetation mainly occur in designated wilderness, roadless, or remote areas where human interference disturbance is USFS. 2016. SDE RMU Range minimal, alpine communities of the Salmon–Challis are considered to Allotments. GIS Database Information. exhibit good integrity and relatively stable (IDFG 2017b; USFS 2017). In Data source: S_R04_SCF.rmu_unit. 2016, Mancuso and Lehman resampled plots from a 1992 study on alpine Last updated March 30, 2016. community types on Sheep Mountain. Comparisons between the two dates indicate no substantial change in vegetative composition or species USFS (United States Department of represented in the intervening 24 years (Mancuso and Lehman 2016). Agriculture Forest Service). 2017. Salmon-Challis National Forest Plan Revision Assessments. Topics 1& 2: It is unclear how suitable lower elevation ‘hanging garden’ habitats are Terrestrial Ecosystems, Aquatic for T. subuliformis, however, it is assumed that EO 1 is near the lower Ecosystems, Watersheds, Air, Soil,
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations elevational limit of the species range. The occurrence at such a low Water. elevation suggests that the species may be capable of surviving in a variety of habitats on the Forest. Habitats such as this are unique on the Forest, and likely to be stable and protected from most disturbances.
EO records suggest at known occurrences current impacts are minimal. Given this information, and the lack of surveys to assess the quality of potentially suitable habitat, current habitat trends are assumed to be relatively stable (Rank B).
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 7 B T. subuliformis is vulnerable to changes in climate and trampling; other Ash, J.D., Givnish, T.J., Waller, D.M. Vulnerability of impacts including grazing, invasive species, wildfires, and recreational 2016. Tracking lags in historical plants Habitats on the activity are likely to be minimal in known habitat. species’ shifts in relation to regional Salmon–Challis changes in climate. Global Change National Forest To project the future climate and impacts to resources in the Biology, doi: 10.1111/gcb.13429.
Intermountain Region including the Salmon-Challis, the Intermountain Behrens, P.N., R.E. Keane, D.L. Adaptation Partnership (IAP) used Representative Concentration Peterson, and J.J. Ho. 2018. Chapter 6: Pathway [RCP] 4.5 and 8.5, which capture a moderate and high future effects of climatic variability and warming, respectively (Halofsky et al. 2018). Although pathways change on forest vegetation. In predicting lower warming exist, the 4.5 and 8.5 pathways were chosen by Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, J.J. Ho, the IAP because they are, in comparison, well studied providing a large N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. 2018. set of projections that enhance our understanding of the possible range Changes in climate vulnerability and in future climate. Thus, this represents best available science for our adaptation in the Intermountain Forest with regard to a warming climate. Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- XXX. Fort Collins, CO: US Department Although uncertainty exists about the magnitude and rate of changes in of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. climate (For a discussion of this see Behrens et al. 2018), warming
temperatures are the most certain consequence of increased CO2 in the Dirnbock, T., F. Essl, and W. Rabitsch. atmosphere. By 2100, median minimum temperature in the Middle 2011. Disproportional risk for habitat
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Rockies subregion, which includes the Salmon-Challis, is projected to rise loss of high-altitude endemic species about 5˚F under the moderate warming scenario and about 10˚F under under changes in climate. Global the high warming scenario. Regardless of scenario, the greatest Change Biology, 17:990-996. departure from historical seasonal minimum temperatures occurs in the summer. Annual precipitation projections are highly variable with no Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, J.J. Ho, N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. 2018. discernible trend under moderate warming and a slight increasing trend Changes in climate vulnerability and with high warming (Joyce and Talbert 2018). adaptation in the Intermountain Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- Alpine habitat may be vulnerable to climatic factors and have low xxx. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of adaptive capacity to changes in climate. Changes in climate is expected to Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky cause increasingly warmer and wetter conditions, with worsening Mountain Research Station. summer drought, and alpine areas may transition from snow-dominated to rain-dominated (Halofsky et al. 2018; IDFG 2017). The amount of IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish and surface water flow and timing of peak runoff may also be impacted. Such Game). 2017. Idaho State Wildlife changes may reduce the ranges of high-elevation species. Action Plan, 2015. Boise ID.
Joyce, L.A. and M. Talbert. 2018. Alpine systems are dependent on snowfields and gradual snowmelt to Chapter 3: Historical and projected maintain moisture for vegetation, and thus warming temperatures, climate. In Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, increased drought, and changes in the depth and persistence of J.J. Ho, N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. snowpack is projected to greatly affect this habitat in the Intermountain 2018. Changes in climate vulnerability Region (Halofsky et al. 2018; IDFG 2017). While the extent of snowfields, and adaptation in the Intermountain as measured on April 1 and modeled under the RCP emissions scenario Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- 8.5 (a severe scenario), is projected to remain similar on the Salmon- xxx. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Challis into the 2080’s, warmer conditions will markedly reduce their Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky persistence and depth. In addition, losses will be greater than projected Mountain Research Station. because this modeling provides an overestimate of precipitation at high elevations. This is because it uses the Global Climate Model (GCM), which does not account for local orographic effects (Halofsky et al. 2018).
Summer precipitation is also very important for subalpine and alpine
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations vegetative communities and the RCP8.5 model projects a 20% decrease in summer precipitation for the SCNF. However, cooler soil temperature at higher elevation may moderate effects to alpine species (Halofsky et al. 2018).
Some, subalpine communities may have potential to migrate higher in elevation as a response to changing conditions, but this may be limited by underdeveloped soils at higher altitudes. Furthermore, the rate of climatic change in alpine communities may outpace the ability of species to shift their distribution (Ash et al. 2016; Dirnbock et al. 2011). Other communities may already exist at the highest elevations in the SCNF and, therefore, may have limited upward migration potential.
T. subuliformis communities may be exceptionally vulnerable to disturbances including impacts from trampling by native ungulates, recreational users, and/or livestock. Other disturbances might include infrastructure development (trails and com sites) and increased recreational activities at high elevation sites. Given potential changes and stressors in alpine communities with regard to climate, it is assumed that the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances may be an additional threat to alpine species. However, these threats may be moderated by the fact that the lichen grows on a cliff band where hikers would be less likely to walk.
The degree to which both populations and habitats are vulnerable to loss or disturbance on the Forest are dependent upon variability in severity of impacts from changes in climate and potential habitat modification (Rank B). The distribution of the species in on the Forest is not well documented or understood, therefore, confidence in threat identification
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations and severity is low.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 8 B Tundra lichens are generally continually exposed to direct sunlight due to Cassie, D.M. 2006. “Population Life History and absence of larger, shading vegetation. Cassie (2006) reports that the Structure of Thamnolia subuliformis Demographics white coloration of whiteworm lichen may reflect excess UV radiation to and Dicranum elongatum in protect against overheating and UV damage. northeastern coastal regions of Wapusk National Park, Manitoba.” Master’s thesis, University of Lichens are formed as a symbiosis between two main partners, a fungus Manitoba, Winnipeg. and a photosynthesizing component like alga or cyanobacteria. Whiteworm lichen is an asexual lichen (Nelson and Gargas 2009a). It Nelson, M.P., and A. Gargas. 2009a. reproduces by thallus fragmentation, in which both components of the “Assessing clonality and chemotype lichen are present in the fragment, which negates the need to find a new monophyly in Thamnolia suitable alga symbiont for growth (Cassie 2006). Asexual fragmentation (Icmadophilaceae).” The Bryologist may be an adaptation to the typically harsh environments this species 112(1):42-53. occupies – sexual reproduction would require more energy than asexual fragmentation. Nelson, M.P. and Gargas, A. 2009b. “Symbiont flexibility in Thamnolia Co-dispersing symbionts (which occurs during thallus fragmentation and vermicularis (Pertusariales: Icmadophilaceae).” The Bryologist dispersal) may limit genetic diversity and lower a population’s ability to 112(2):404-417. adapt to changing environmental conditions. The ability to switch symbionts or associate with a range of algae may mitigate this; Nelson and Gargas (2009b) found that a related whiteworm lichen (T. vermicularis) associated with a wide range of alga symbionts; T. subuliformis may also employ this method.
In general, lichens are long-lived, but no specific studies on the lifespan of T. subuliformis were available. Due to the growth pattern of whiteworm lichen, the lower portions of the thallus are older than the
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations upper portions. With increasing age comes reduced photosynthetic capacity of the algae component (Cassie 2006).
Based on the available information for the study taxon and related species in the genus Thamnolia, whiteworm lichen exhibits traits adapted to the alpine environments it occupies. However, this species may also exhibit demographic risk factors that would limit its ability to recover from disturbance or adapt to changing conditions, such as limited genetic diversity from lack of sexual reproduction. As such, this criterion was ranked “B.” Because little taxon-specific information could be located, confidence in this ranking is lowered.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low Summary and recommendations: Whiteworm lichen has a wide range in the northern hemisphere and North Date: 9/21/2017 America; it is considered globally to be vulnerable to secure. Its range encompasses at least two other western states, but in Idaho the taxon is considered critically imperiled. There are only two known occurrences from the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
T. subuliformis is known to disperse through asexual fragmentation, which may lower genetic diversity of the species. Dispersal likely occurs in a variety of ways, and it is believed the species is readily capable of dispersing through suitable habitat. Not enough information exists to analyze population or habitat trends on the Forest. Habitat is generally described as alpine where the species occurs on alpine sods on windswept peaks and ridges. However, one record on the Forest was documented at a much lower elevation in a ‘hanging garden’ habitat along the Salmon River Canyon, suggesting that the species may be capable of colonizing widely throughout the Forest. Known habitat is likely largely protected from disturbances and the biggest threats are likely changes in climate and trampling.
Although habitats are generally described as alpine, EOs suggest that the species is more widely distributed on the SCNF. Known habitats are considered stable and well protected. There is not substantial concern for the capability
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Thamnolia subuliformis (Whiteworm lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations of Thamnolia subuliformis to persist over the long-term on the Salmon-Challis, therefore, it is not recommended as a SCC.
Evaluator(s): Morgan Trieger