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Bering reindeer lichen

Scientific Name: Cladina arbuscula ssp. beringiana

Family: Cladoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Bering Reindeer Lichen

Learn about the Bering Reindeer Lichen, a fascinating organism with a significant role in Arctic ecosystems.

Considerations for Pets

  • As a lichen, the physical structure is likely not harmful, but keep in mind that introduced reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, overexploited lichen-rich plant communities on St. Matthew Island in the Bering Sea.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Cladina arbuscula (also sometimes listed as Cladonia arbuscula)
  • Common Names: Bering Reindeer Lichen, Reindeer Lichen, Reindeer Moss, Caribou Moss

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Cladoniaceae
  • Rank: Subspecies (Cladina arbuscula ssp. beringiana)
  • Synonyms: Cladina arbuscula (Wallr.) Hale & W.L. Culb. subsp. beringiana (Ahti) N.S. Golubk.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Primarily found in cool to cold climates, including Arctic and northern temperate regions.
  • Specifically mentioned in the context of the Bering Sea region, including St. Matthew Island and the Pribilof Islands in Alaska.
  • Often found in coastal and continental areas.

Ecological Role

  • A major component of the winter diet for reindeer and caribou.
  • Overgrazing by introduced reindeer can lead to significant declines in lichen biomass.
  • The removal of lichens can stimulate the growth of other plant species, such as willows.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Growth Habit: Lichenous.
  • Structure: Lichen.
  • Light Preference: Mostly Sunny.
  • Soil Fertility: Infertile.
  • Described as an erect, greyish, branching lichen.

Quirky Facts

  • On St. Matthew Island, an initial introduction of 29 reindeer in 1944 led to a population boom reaching 6,000 by 1963, followed by a dramatic die-off due to overgrazing of the lichen.
  • Humans can eat lichen and tree bark but cannot survive on it.

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov
  • ARKive (for Reindeer lichen photos and facts)
  • Flickr (Bering Land Bridge National Preserve photos): https://flickr.com/photos/38623372@N06/16189549917