A poorly known taxon confined to western China where grazing is thought to be a major threat throughout its range.
Distribution
China: W Sichuan, NW Yunnan, SE Xizang [Tibet]. Its altitudinal range is uncertain but probably between 2500 and 3500 metres above sea-level. The global population of this taxon is poorly known, in part due to misidentifications but also to incomplete inventories of remote mountain areas.
Habitat and Ecology
The tree form of the species occurs below the tree line in subalpine forest or woodland, usually in
clearings of Abies or Picea forest, or in more open Pinus densata and Larix potaninii woodland; where it can occur together with its decumbent form Juniperus pingii var. wilsonii and with J. squamata.
Human Uses
No uses have been recorded, but it does appear occasionally in the horticultural trade in Europe.
Conservation Status
Global status
Vulnerable B2ab(ii,iii)
Global rationale
More data based on correctly identified observations or specimens are needed to establish the extent of occurence (EOO) and the area of occupancy (AOO) more accurately. For this reason, the AOO has here been calculated with a wider than recommended grid in order to compensate for this. Some decline is inferred from observed intensive grazing in some of its habitat. Consequently it is assessed as Vulnerable. The species as a whole has been assessed as Near Threatened.
Global threats
The tree form is apparently quite rare, but its remoteness has until the present been a safeguard against threats from human interference. On the other hand, increased pressure from grazing is likely to have had a negative impact on regeneration in certain areas (Farjon, pers. com. 2000 (in NW Yunnan))
Conservation Actions
Further surveys are required to determine if this taxon is present in any protected areas.
References and further reading
Adams, R.P. (2011). Junipers of the World: The genus Juniperus. Trafford Publishing Co., Bloomington, Indiana.
Li, N., Carter, G. & Farjon, A. (2013). Juniperus pingii var. pingii In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 July 2013.
