Distributed in several province in China where it has suffered a decline due to logging
Distribution
Native to China in SW Gansu, W Sichuan, SE Xizang [Tibet] and possibly from Yunnan. It has a much wider range than the typical variety.
Habitat and Ecology
Occurs in small stands or mixed forest with broadleaved trees at lower elevations than other Abies spp.in western Sichuan
Human Uses
A timber tree in western China, heavily exploited until recently when the Chinese government finally decided to preserve its remaining old growth forests in the western provinces. Its timber was used mainly for construction and carpentry work.
Conservation Status
Global status
Vulnerable A2d
Global rationale
A decline of more than 30%, but less than 50% is inferred to have occurred primarily as a result of logging prior to the introduction of a ban in 1998. Consequently, this variety is assessed as Vulnerable. It is uncertain if the decline is continuing.
Global threats
Past logging has affected this species, plus pressure on lower elevation sites associated with expanding populations.
Conservation Actions
The Government of China has recently imposed a logging ban in western China.
References and further reading
Farjon, A. (2010). A Handbook of the World's Conifers. Koninklijke Brill, Leiden.
Ryavec, K. & D. Winkler 2006. Logging impacts to forests in Tibetan areas of Southwest China: a case study from Ganze Prefecture based on 1998 Landsat TM Imagery. Himalaya 26(1):article 10.
Xiang, Q. & Rushforth, K. (2013). Abies recurvata var. ernestii. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 07 July 2013.
