Cladia muelleri

Threats

Studies by Blackman et al. (1973) outline that Cladia muelleri distribution is determined by rainfall, requiring between 300 and 1200 mm per year. Based on this, most of New Zealand is too wet for this species but there are large drier regions such as Central Otago where this species could also be present (Murray, 1962–1963; Blackman et al., 1973). However, some of the existing previous population of this species in New Zealand were in areas of higher rainfall so the habitat (e.g. dunes) could also be an important factor in this species’ distribution. Further searching for this species should be undertaken in New Zealand as it is likely this threatened lichen is more widespread.