A tree species with an extremely small population: recategorizing the Critically Endangered Acer yangbiense. Issue 4 (28th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tao, Lidan; Han, Chunyan; Song, Kun; Sun, Weibang
• Is Part Of: Oryx. Volume 54:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 474
• Page End: 477
• Publication Date: 2020-07-28
• Subjects: Acer yangbiense, -- China, -- degraded, -- Endangered, -- size structure, -- threatened, -- tree, -- Yunnan; Wildlife conservation -- Periodicals; Nature conservation -- Periodicals; 639.9
• DOI: 10.1017/S0030605319000073
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0030-6053

Abstract

Abstract: Acer yangbiense Y.S. Chen & Q.E. Yang (Aceraceae) is a threatened tree species endemic to China, formerly presumed to have declined to only five extant individuals, restricted to Yangbi County, Yunnan Province. Our surveys in 2016, however, located 577 individuals in 12 localities, but only three localities (with a total of 62 individuals) are protected. Nine localities are on private forest land. The population's size structure is an inverse J-curve, but there is a scarcity of trees of the smallest size class and of seedlings. Our surveys also showed that the habitat of A. yangbiense is degraded as a result of the negative effects of agriculture, logging and wood harvesting. Assessment with the IUCN Red List categories and criteria indicates that A. yangbiense should be recategorized from Critically Endangered to Endangered.