This subspecies, described in 1997, is restricted to a single mountain in Northern Việt Nam. The main threats are its small population size and restricted distribution which make it potentially susceptible to stochastic events.
Distribution
This subspecies of Abies delavayi is endemic to the eastern flank of Mt. Fan Si Pan in Lào Cai Province in northern Việt Nam. It was formally described in 1997 (Xiang, Q.P. 1997): prior to this it was misidentified as Abies delavayi var nukiangensis. Surveys in other parts of the Hoàng Liên Sơn range have failed to find other stands. It is separated from other subspecies of Abies delavayi by more than 300km.
Habitat and Ecology
It occurs as an emergent tree in primary evergreen montane forest in a narrow altitudinal band between 2600m and 2800m. Rainfall is very high (more than 3500mm per year) with occasional snowfall. Associated taxa are a Borinda species of bamboo, Tsuga dumosa, Acer, Sorbus, Daphne and Rhododendron spp. No regeneration has been observed over the last 25 years.
Human Uses
Due to its very limited distribution and until recently, its inaccessible location, this subspecies has not been utilised.
The assessment of Critically Endangered is principally based on its very small area of occupancy and extent of occurrence (< 4km2). It is only known from one location and regeneration is absent. Lower parts of the stand were burnt in the 1970s and 1980s. A decline is expected to continue.
Global threats
The main threats are associated with increasing tourist activities, associated infrastructure development and an increasing risk of fire. The main route to the summit passes through the forest. Logging is not considered a risk as it occurs within a relatively remote area.
Conservation Actions
The only known population occurs within the Hoàng Liên National Park.
References and further reading
Hiêp, N.T. & Vidal, J.E. (1996). Flore di Cambodge di Laos et du Vietnam. Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, Paris.
Rushforth, K.D. (1999). Taxonomic notes on some Sino-Himalayan conifers. International Dendrology Society Yearbook 1998: 60-63.
Xiang, Q.-P. (1997). Abies fansipanensis - a new species of the genus Abies from Vietnam. Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica 35(4): 356-359.
Rushforth, K., Xiang, Q. & Carter, G. 2011. Abies delavayi ssp. fansipanensis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. . Downloaded on 23 April 2012
