Bryoria salazinica is endemic to northeastern North America. It has very small population size, known from 13 collections at 11 distinct sites; however, we suspect only seven sites are extant. All collections in the United States (US) and one Canadian collection from the northeast, on the island of Newfoundland, date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s; these sites are presumed extirpated and have not been included in the final Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occurrence (EOO) calculations. This species has been collected only once in the last decade (In the province of Quebec; Paquette and McMullin 2020), despite activity throughout the Canadian maritimes by expert lichenologists (e.g., McMullin 2018; McMullin and Wiersma 2017; McMullin and Arensault 2019; McMullin et al. 2012, 2017, 2018; Padgett et al. 2020; Selva 2003); and extensive activity in northeastern, coastal US where it is historically known from (e.g., Tripp and Lendemer 2019; Seaward et al. 2017; Allen and Lendemer 2016). The exact number of mature individuals at each site is unknown; however, given this species’ overall rareness and that it has been represented by only one collection at all but one of the sites (the three collections from Prince Edward Island National Park in Prince Edward Island, Canada are represented by a single occurrence point) we expect the modern sites represent fewer than five individuals each and as few as one. We also infer a population reduction. This species has no modern reports in the US part of its distribution and historical records from the US are positioned in areas that have since become urbanized; for this reason, the US subpopulations are presumed extirpated. Additionally, it continues to be rarely collected in its Canadian range. The small extant population of this species is threatened by habitat loss and degradation. Therefore, this species qualifies as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria D and C2(a)(i). It also qualifies as Endangered (EN) under criteria A2(c) and B2(a)(b)(i-v). It does not qualify for criterion E.

Bryoria salazinica’s unique chemistry (the only species in its genus containing salazinic acid) and highly restricted distribution (rare and endemic to northeastern North America) confidently distinguish it from other lichens in the genus Bryoria (Brodo and Hawksworth 1977).

Bryoria salazinica is a globally and locally rare macrolichen, endemic to northeastern North America where its occurrences are few and distant from one another (Brodo and Hawksworth 1977; CNALH 2021; Paquette and McMullin 2020). Given the absence of modern reports in the United States of America (USA) and the substantial industrial development and growth experienced in the areas of its historical records there, we suspect that the species is extirpated from this part of its range. Thus, the species has experienced a reduction in population size. Additionally, based on the known habitat and sites of the few occurrences (located exclusively in hyper coastal sites), this lichen is threatened by habitat loss throughout its range.

Bryoria salazinica is endemic to eastern North America. It is known from Canada in the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec (Brodo and Hawksworth 1977, Laflamme-Levesque et al. 1979, Paquette and McMullin 2020). It is historically known from the United States (US) in the states of Maine and Massachusetts (Brodo and Hawksworth 1977). Modern occurrences (post-1950) are exclusive to maritime Canada. This lichen has not been reported in the US since 1909 (where it has only three records) and for this reason we believe it is extirpated in this part of its range.

The global population appears to be locally rare and restricted to northeastern North America, specifically hyper coastal environments, with only 13 occurrences on record. The only contemporary records for this species are in Canada (10 occurrences, only one collected in the last decade). Although it has historically been reported from the US, these populations are presumed extirpated and no new occurrences have been reported for the US since 1909, despite extensive study and collection in the eastern, and particularly coastal, US (e.g., Tripp and Lendemer 2019; Seaward et al. 2017; Allen and Lendemer 2016).

This species is an epiphtye on coniferous trees (primarily Balsam fir) (Brodo and Hawksworth 1977, Hinds and Hinds 2007). It is restricted to coastal environments free from urban development. It is a greenish-brownish pendant fruticose lichen with a smooth cortex that lacks soredia or isidia and its branches are characteristically curled and twisted (Brodo and Hawksworth 1977, Paquette and McMullin 2020). Chemically, it is distinguished from other species in its genus by the presence of salazinic acid in its cortex (Brodo and Hawksworth) 1977).

Loss of habitat due to development and/or logging, as well as sea level rise and other climate change related drivers. Human activities contributing to climate change (e.g., fossil fuel extraction, logging, etc) pose an imminent however, declining air quality is a suspected threat to this species, more research is needed to understand the extent of this threat.

- fog/humidity regimes in coastal areas
- note that only inland record is presumed extirpated due to city development (Springfield population grew by 200% between 1880 and 1910, construction of the I91 in the 60s, many industrial plants, major urban industrial center, etc).

Five of the Canadian records of this species (one in New Brunswick, three in PEI and one in Quebec) are located in federal National Parks which are legally protected through the National Parks Act in Canada. This species it not otherwise legally protected in Canada or the US. Education about this species should be provide to raise awareness of its status and sensitive habitat needs. Bryoria salazinica’s habitat should be protected from development and logging.

The Canadian occurrences from prior to 2018 should be verified to better understand the current extent of this lichen. Analyses of habitat availability in northeastern North America that a) identify the amount of available habitat and b) predict potential shift and/or loss of its habitat under different climate change scenarios. Additionally, the impact of air quality on this species should be studied to clarify the extent of this threat.

Presently, no economic use or trade is known for this species; however, collection due to its rarity does pose a threat. Pressures from collection should be mitigated in research conducted on this lichen.