Decreasing abundance of epiphytic lichens with increasing Mn supply from the substratum or from stemflow was found in several coniferous forests of Europe (Germany) as well as western (Montana, British Columbia) and eastern North America (New York State). Experiments carried out with Hypogymnia physodes and other species of chloro- and cyano-lichens suggest that these correlations are causal. High Mn concentrations e.g. reduce chlorophyll concentrations, chlorophyll fluorescence and degrade the chloroplast in lichen photobionts. Excess Mn inhibits the growth of soredia of H. physodes and causes damage in the fine- and ultra-structure of the soredia. Adult lichen thalli remain structurally unaffected by Mn. Manganese uptake does not result in membrane damage. Calcium, Mg, Fe and perhaps also Si alleviate Mn toxicity symptoms in H. physodes. Lecanora conizaeoides is not sensitive to Mn in laboratory experiments or in the field. The data suggest that high Mn concentrations are an important site factor for epiphytic lichens in coniferous forests that until recently has been overlooked. Manganese reaching the microhabitat of epiphytic lichens is primarily soil-borne and is usually not derived from pollution.