Endemic to western Sichuan in China where acid rain is the main present-day threat
Distribution
Endemic to China where it occurs in western Sichuan, from Songpan to the southwest where it meets A. fabri subsp. fabri west of Chengdu
No clear data for this taxon but from inference from other species in the area a population decline of circa 30% over the past 100 years is estimated. As logging is now banned, further loss should be restricted to acid rain and occasional fire risks.
Habitat and Ecology
Forms pure forests or with other conifers, mainly Picea and Tsuga, and some broadleaved trees such as Acer and Betula.
Human Uses
Locally used for construction.
Conservation Status
Global status
Vulnerable A2cde
Global rationale
The effect of past logging, estimated at 30% and continuing damage from acid rain to at least parts of the subpopulation justifies the vulnerable status under the A2 criteria.
Global threats
Acid rain is the main current threat to the subspecies now that logging is banned.
Conservation Actions
The Government of China has recently imposed a ban on logging in western China.
References and further reading
Craib, W.G. (1919). Abies delavayi in Cultivation. Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 11(55): 277-280.
Farjon, A. (2010). A Handbook of the World's Conifers. Koninklijke Brill, Leiden.
Xiang, Q. & Rushforth, K. (2013). Abies fabri ssp. minensis. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 07 July 2013.
