Sulcaria spiralifera is a fruticose arboreal lichen that is endemic to coastal dune forests in western North America. It occurs at scattered localities from central California to Washington. It is rare throughout its range, except on the Samoa Peninsula in California's Humboldt County and on the Oregon Dunes in Coos County where it is locally abundant (Glavich 2003, 2008). This species, and its rare and sensitive ecosystem, are threatened by coastal development, climate change, and air pollution. This species is severely fragmented with an area of occupancy of only 104 km2, and is therefore Endangered undercriterion B2. Its small and fragmented population containing fewer than 2,500 mature individuals also qualifies it as Endangered under criterion C2a(i).
Assessor/s: McMullin, T., Stone, D., Lendemer, J. & Allen, J.; Reviewer/s: Reese Næsborg, R.; Contributor(s): Dahlberg, A.; Facilitator(s) & Compiler(s): Chandler, A.
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Find out more about the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteriahere.