This variety is only known from one locality in the wild although it is naturalised and/ or introduced in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Currently it is listed as Near Threatened although VU D2 may be more apropriate.
Distribution
Eldarian Pine is endemic to Azerbaijan, the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot, occurring in Gyandya-Gazakh region: North- and north-east-facing slopes of the Eilyar-Oyugu range, western part of the Eldari steppe, the Samukh district (at the border between Azerbaijan and Georgia)
Habitat and Ecology
A drought resistant tree that grows on dry rocky and stony slopes, forming an open grove of crooked trees together with squamose junipers in cracks of clayey sandstone on the rocky and stony slopes of Mt. Eilyar-Oyugu, at 400-650 m a.s.l. Associated species include Junipeus foetidissima Willd., J. polycarpos C.Koch., Punica granatum L., Pyrus eldarica Grosch., Pistacia mutica Fisch. & C.A.Mey, Berberis iberica Stev. & Fisch. ex DC, Berberis vulgaris L, Ephedra distachya L. and E. procera Fisch. et C.A.Mey. The total area covered by the pine is about 500 hectares.
Human Uses
Widely used for afforestation in the countryside and in urban settings in the Caucasus and Iran.
Conservation Status
Global status & Rationale
Near Threatened
Eldarian Pine is currently listed as Near Threatened, as the single location of the species existing in the wild is potentially threatened by a fungal disease affecting pine plantations in the South Caucasus. As such it is close to meeting criterion B2ab. An alternative assessment would be VU D2 as there is a credible potential threat to its small population. Continuous monitoring is necessary.
Conservation Actions
A protected area was established with the aim to conserve P. brutia var. eldarica in its natural habitat, initially as a part of the Gey-Gel Reserve, Azerbaijan. This was given the status of an independent reserve in 2004.
References and further reading
Bayramova, A.A. (2014) The anthropogenic dynamics and the preservation of vegetation of the Western Region of Azerbaijan. European Academic Research 1(11):4027-4036.
Farjon, A. (2013) Pinus brutia var. eldarica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T34183A2849651. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T34183A2849651.en. Downloaded on 15 July 2016.
Frankis, M. (1999) Pinus brutia. Curtis's Botanical Magazine 16(3):173-185.
Ibrahimov, Z & E. Musaeva 2013. Silva Cultures of Pinus eldarica in Azerbaijan: Results of Researches and Use Prospects. In: International Caucasian Forestry Symposium, 24-26 October 2013 Artvin Turkey.
