Forest managers and resource scientists in northwestern states track two kinds of rare species: (1) extremely rare species potentially listable under the Endangered Species Act and (2) old-growth associated species listed under the Northwest Forest Plan and its amendments.
Some species fall into both lists, but many rare species are not old-growth associates, and many old-growth associates are not extremely rare. The first group of species (extremely rare species, any habitat) is tracked by the Natural Heritage Program, while the second group of species (rare old-growth associates) is tracked by Federal agencies (Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service).
Our knowledge of rare lichen species changes rapidly, because of recent increases in the number of people looking for these species in the field. The Oregon Natural Heritage Program updates its lists of lichens and bryophytes every three years, with input from scientists. The Washington Natural Heritage Program has recently begun to list non-vascular species. The Federal program for tracking and documenting old-growth associated species has so far failed to keep pace with the rapid increases in understanding; principal problems are data quality assurance and information management.
The list compiled by Northwest Lichenologists helps to fill this gap. They list rare macrolichens in the Pacific Northwest. Many of these are old-growth associated epiphytes. The list is annotated with comments on their management status, taxonomic status, distribution, and abundance. This summary is no substitute for a sound database. But it may be of use to resource managers and botanists.
Please refer to the Northwest Lichenologists compilation of rare species and their habitats.