Distributed in Bhutan, China and neighbouring SE Tibet where logging is the main threat
Description
Taxonomic Notes
This is a highly variable species and several infraspecific taxa have been recognized. Most of these were at one time described as distinct species and there is apparently no strict consensus as to which entities to recognize at what rank (e.g. Farjon, (1990): Wu, & Raven, (1999)). Following Farjon (2010) the following varieties are recognized here: var. likiangensis, var. hirtella, var. montigena and var. rubescens. The variety linzhiensis is treated as a separate species.
Distribution
China: S Qinghai, S & W Sichuan, NW Yunnan, SE Xizang [Tibet], Bhutan (not mapped)
Habitat and Ecology
Both the type of the species (type locality Lijiang Shan, Yunnan) and the varieties are subalpine spruces (2900 m to 4100 metres above sea-level) of the SW Plateau of China. They are usually associated with other conifers, e.g. Abies spp., Picea brachytyla, Larix potaninii, and Tsuga spp. at the lower elevations.
Conservation Status
Global status
Vulnerable A2cd
Global rationale
The assessment of the species as a whole is determined by that of its most common and widespread variety, var. likiangensis, under the same criteria. There has been more than a 30% population reduction in the past 75 years (three generations) due to the impacts of logging.
Global threats
Logging has reduced this species by an estimated 30%.
Conservation Actions
The Government of China has recently imposed a logging ban in western China.
References and further reading
Farjon, A. (199)0. Pinaceae. Drawings and descriptions of the genera Abies, Cedrus, Pseudolarix, Keteleeria, Nothotsuga, Tsuga, Cathaya, Pseudotsuga, Larix and Picea. Koeltz Scientific Books, Königstein, Germany.
Zhang, D, Farjon, A. & Christian, T. (2013). Picea likiangensis. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 13 July 2013.
Wu, Z. & Raven, P.H. (eds). (1999). Flora of China: Vol.4. Cycadaceae through Fagaceae. Science Press (Beijing) & Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis).
