Distribution

Endemic to Mexico in the States of: Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora, Zacatecas. Mature trees of this variety are becoming less common and are in some areas already rare.

Habitat and Ecology

Predominantly in pine-oak woodland or pine forest, with Pinus cembroides, Quercus spp., Arctostaphylos, Commelina, Dahlia, Geranium, Sedum and other herbs; in mountains on rocky soil from 1000 to 2700 metres above sea-level or sometimes to 3200m

Conservation Status

Global status

Vulnerable B2ab(ii,iii,v)

Global rationale

This variety occurs over a wide area, but according to herbarium collections made it is highly disjunct, with two main areas separated by 400km and within these it is scattered in small subpopulations (>10 localities). The area of occupancy (AOO) is very likely less than 2000km² (here estimated 832km²) and declining due to continuing logging and over-use of mature trees.

Global threats

The total area in which this variety is known is more limited than that for the species. It appears that this form is more often involved in changes in land use leading to situations where scattered trees may be preserved as shade trees but chances of natural regeneration seem greatly reduced. There is unsustainable logging in parts of its range. As with many junipers in Mexico, this taxon is threatened by goats, overgrazing and the general environmental degradation

Conservation Actions

No specific conservation measures have been taken for this species although it is known from some protected areas.