Abies nebrodensis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
PLANTAE	TRACHEOPHYTA	CONIFEROPSIDA	CONIFERALES	PINACEAE

Scientific Name:

Abies nebrodensis

Species Authority:

(Lojac.) Mattei

Common Name/s:

English

–

Sicilian Fir

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2006

Assessor/s

Farjon, A., Pasta, S. & Troìa, A.

Evaluator/s:

Strahm, W., de Montmollin, B. (Mediterranean Island Plants Red List Authority) & Farjon, A. (Conifer Red List Authority)

Justification:
The current population is around 30 trees, about 23 of which are mature (i.e., have produced cones) occurring in an area of less than 1.5 km².

History:

1998	–	Critically Endangered (Oldfield et al. 1998)
1997	–	Endangered (Walter and Gillett 1998)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Despite its scientific name, the Sicilian Fir (Abies nebrodensis) does not grow in the Nebrodi Mountains but is presently limited to the steep, dry slopes of Mt. Scalone in the Madonie Mountains in the north-central part of Sicily.
Countries:	Native: Italy (Sicilia)

Population [top]

Population:	The Madronie Mountains, rising to 1,979 m, were once covered by A. nebrodensis. By 1900, the species was considered extinct, due to extensive logging and erosion, but was rediscovered in 1957. Examples of its wood can be seen in the doors and roof-bea,s of local churches. The current population is around 30 trees.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The species grows at around 1,500 m altitude on limestone soil. The Madonie Mountains, rising to 1,979 m, were once covered by Abies nebrodensis.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Degraded natural habitat, the poor health of specimens propagated in tree nurseries, the limited population size, and threat from fire represent the biggest threats to the species. Hybridization with non-native firs resulting in genetic contamination and global warming also threaten the species.

Major Threat(s):

Degraded natural habitat, the poor health of specimens propagated in tree nurseries, the limited population size, and threat from fire represent the biggest threats to the species. Hybridization with non-native firs resulting in genetic contamination and global warming also threaten the species.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	1). Legally: This species is included in Appendix I of the Bern Convention and as a priority species in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. The woodland vegetation in which this species is found is listed in Annex I of the same Directive. 2). In situ: Once rediscovered, foresters immediately initiated conservation measures. However, soil degradation of the natural habitat has made re-introduction difficult. Researchers from Palermo University are currently investigating the species' ideal growth conditions. The species has been grown well in several European botanic gardens. An EU LIFE-financed project is being carried out to conserve the existing population. The project includes implementing an action plan which would include forest management, conservation, and the gradual elimination of non-indigenous fir species. The goal is to stabilize the current population and improve the survival rate based on natural reproduction. Their location within the Madonie Regional Park guarantees some level of protection. 3). Ex situ: In 1978, following seed collection, the Forestry Service cultivated 110,000 young trees in a nursery. Since the survival rate in nature is so low, an adoption program was set up in parallel. 40,000 young plants have been planted in the Botanical Garden of Palermo (Italy) as well as in summer villas and second homes in the Madonie Mountains, slightly apart from their natural area of distribution. Several mature trees also grow in botanic gardens and arboreta elsewhere in Europe. For ex situ cultivation of A. nebrodensis, areas should be selected that are not home to other fir trees to prevent genetic contamination.

Conservation Actions:

1). Legally: This species is included in Appendix I of the Bern Convention and as a priority species in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. The woodland vegetation in which this species is found is listed in Annex I of the same Directive.

2). In situ: Once rediscovered, foresters immediately initiated conservation measures. However, soil degradation of the natural habitat has made re-introduction difficult. Researchers from Palermo University are currently investigating the species' ideal growth conditions. The species has been grown well in several European botanic gardens. An EU LIFE-financed project is being carried out to conserve the existing population. The project includes implementing an action plan which would include forest management, conservation, and the gradual elimination of non-indigenous fir species. The goal is to stabilize the current population and improve the survival rate based on natural reproduction. Their location within the Madonie Regional Park guarantees some level of protection.

3). Ex situ: In 1978, following seed collection, the Forestry Service cultivated 110,000 young trees in a nursery. Since the survival rate in nature is so low, an adoption program was set up in parallel. 40,000 young plants have been planted in the Botanical Garden of Palermo (Italy) as well as in summer villas and second homes in the Madonie Mountains, slightly apart from their natural area of distribution. Several mature trees also grow in botanic gardens and arboreta elsewhere in Europe. For ex situ cultivation of A. nebrodensis, areas should be selected that are not home to other fir trees to prevent genetic contamination.

Citation:	Farjon, A., Pasta, S. & Troìa, A. 2006. Abies nebrodensis. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 02 December 2008.
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