World distribution: Peltigera retifoveata is a disjunct circumboreal species, occurring in Fennoscandia, northern Asia, and western North America (Goffinet 1992, Vitikainen 1994). In Fennoscandia, the species appears to be extremely rare. In addition to the Norwegian locality (Holtan-Hartwig 1993), it is known from one uncertain locality in Uppland, Sweden (from 1861, confusion of labels?) and a recently discovered locality in Koillismaa, Finland (Vitikainen 1985, 1994, Santesson 1993)
Ecology: Results. The Norwegian locality contains two small populations, c. 60 m apart. The locality is situated in a humid, north-facing, old-growth subalpine birch forest in a small valley. The locality is somewhat influenced by grazing of domestic animals, probably sheep. The species grows among mosses on sloping rocks; associated species include Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Linnaea borealis, Trientalis europaea, and Festuca sp. Discussion. In other parts of the distribution area, the species is terricolous or muscicolous in boreal forests or in moist tundra. Associated species in Finland are the mosses Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Dicranum spp., and the lichens Peltigera aphthosa, P. leucophlebia, and P. canina (Vitikainen 1985)
Threats: Results. Assumed threats are logging or development (construction of road or cottages). Discussion. The importance of grazing to the populations is uncertain
Status: Both populations are sparse, but vigorous. The locality is not protected