Kauaʻi Conservation Atlas

Kauaʻi record · KCA-FUNGI-000011

Crustose lichen

Buellia kauaiensis

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Atlas primary ecological plate of Crustose lichen (Buellia kauaiensis).
Atlas primary ecological plate of Crustose lichen (Buellia kauaiensis). · Kauaʻi Conservation Atlas · Kauaʻi Conservation Atlas ecological plate · Atlas primary ecological plate v1.5.1 · Image source

About Crustose lichen

Crustose lichen is a Hawaiian checklist record retained for Kauaʻi review. Role: Lichen symbiosis involving fungal partner plus photobiont; ecological role includes substrate colonization and microhabitat indication. Associated habitat or substrate: Bark, rock, soil, canopy, exposed ridge, wet forest or coastal substrate depending on species.

Kauaʻi evidence

ABRS Hawaiian Islands lichen checklist includes this taxon.

Names and classification

Scientific name
Buellia kauaiensis
Common names
Crustose lichen
Record type
species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence
Hawaiian Islands lichen checklist; Kauaʻi-specific confirmation to be tied to voucher/local source
Origin
Hawaiian Islands lichen checklist
Conservation status
Under-documented fungal biodiversity
Evidence date
2026-09-13
Evidence limits
Occurrence strength is explicit; statewide/Hawaiian checklist evidence is not treated as a precise Kauaʻi site record.

Habitat and ecology

Habitats
Bark, rock, soil, canopy, exposed ridge, wet forest or coastal substrate depending on species
Ecological role
Lichen symbiosis involving fungal partner plus photobiont; ecological role includes substrate colonization and microhabitat indication
Food and resource needs
Lichen symbiosis involving fungal partner plus photobiont; ecological role includes substrate colonization and microhabitat indication
Reproduction
Spore production or clonal/mycelial growth; source-specific details vary
Shelter
Rock, bark, soil or living vegetation substrate
Substrate
Rock, bark, soil or living vegetation substrate

Threats and conservation

Threats
Not assessed
Conservation actions
Retain observations with provenance; protect sensitive sites; support specialist review; apply disease hygiene and management protocols when relevant
Monitoring
Record substrate, host, microhabitat, date, rainfall/moisture, visible morphology, photos, specimen/voucher status, DNA status, and attendant biota
Data gaps
Kauaʻi voucher status, precise taxonomic confirmation, microhabitat, host/substrate specificity, abundance, and seasonal pattern need expansion.

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal timing
Often moisture- and substrate-dependent; Kauaʻi timing requires repeated observation
Seasonal description
Crustose lichen is a Hawaiian checklist record retained for Kauaʻi review. Role: Lichen symbiosis involving fungal partner plus photobiont; ecological role includes substrate colonization and microhabitat indication. Associated habitat or substrate: Bark, rock, soil, canopy, exposed ridge, wet forest or coastal substrate depending on species.

Sources and further reading

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